Naloxone Saves Lives!

In this episode of Breaking the Stigma, we focus on one of the most important tools in preventing drug-related deaths: naloxone.

Hosted by Renata from the ADP Support Team, this episode features Kate from NHS Dumfries and Galloway, lead for Injecting Equipment Provision and Non-Fatal Overdose Outreach, and Yvonne from We Are With You, Community Engagement Coordinator.

Together, they explain what naloxone is, how it works, and why carrying it could save someone’s life.

The conversation covers how to recognise the signs of an overdose, what to do in an emergency, and how to access free naloxone kits and training across Dumfries and Galloway.

Whether you are a family member, a professional, or simply want to be prepared, this episode provides clear, practical information that could make a life-saving difference.

For more information and support, visit dgadp.co.uk.

We are with you https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/

Produced by Your Fairy Podmother®️www.fairypodmother.co.uk

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

This is Breaking the Stigma, a podcast from Dumfreys and Galloway ADP. If drugs or alcohol have affected you, your family, your work, or your community, this podcast is here to help. Each episode covers a different part of the picture, from people's rights and family support to recovery and more. These conversations are designed to inform, support, and connect people to the right help.

SPEAKER_01 0:26

Welcome to the second episode of Breaking the Stigma. I'm Renata. I'm part of the ADP support team. And today we'll be finding out all about naloxone. So I'm joined by Yvonne and Kate. Welcome to you both. And Kate, would you like to just tell us a little bit about your role?

SPEAKER_03 0:46

Yeah, hi, I'm Kate. I'm the lead for the injecting equipment under non-fatal overdoses, which is known as assertive outreach and NHS Dumfries and Galloway.

SPEAKER_01 0:57

Thank you, Kate. And Yvonne?

SPEAKER_02 0:59

Hi, my name's Yvonne Wilson. I'm a community engagement coordinator for We are with you covering Dumfries and Galloway. And part of my job is potentially to provide naloxone awareness and training and provide that to the community as well as in the alpha space.

SPEAKER_01 1:14

Thank you, Yvonne. So to start with Kate, could you tell us what exactly is naloxone?

SPEAKER_03 1:22

So naloxones, a life-saving medication that will rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. So you might know that as heroin or morphine or any other type of overdose relating to opioids. And it does this by blocking the opiate receptors in the brain, and it can quickly restore normal breathing in someone whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of taking opioids. It's known, you'll hear this, it'll be known as an opioid antagonist, meaning it attaches to the opiate receptors in the brain and reverses or blocks the effects of opioids, such as herin, entinol, osticodine, and morphine.

SPEAKER_01 2:05

And could you tell us what types of naloxone are there?

SPEAKER_03 2:09

So there's a couple of types of naloxone. So you've got the nasal sprays, they're pre-filled and ready to use. So we have two. There's one called Nyxoid, and there's another one that's called pebble. They introduced a pebble because it's small and a little bit more compact, and it can pop into the back of your jeans or in your bag or in your clothing or whatever it is that you carry instead of looking a bit more discrete. Then you've got the um injectable, which is known as pinoxide. It's in a long yellow box and it contains all the equipment that we need to administer the naloxone. They're easy to use and they're small to carry.

SPEAKER_01 2:47

And can I carry naloxone? Do I need prescription or is it legal to carry naloxone?

SPEAKER_03 2:53

Absolutely legal to carry naloxone, you know. So you'll see the police carry naloxone, ambulance services and have them in the vans. Lots of emergency kits now have a naloxone in them as well. So the police are aware that people will carry naloxone, whether that's in the nasal form or in the needle form.

SPEAKER_01 3:12

Yeah. And Yvonne, could you tell us why it's important to carry naloxone?

SPEAKER_02 3:18

I think it's important to carry naloxone for everyone, potentially to save lives and because every life matters. And with the opioid overdose, the central nervous system slowed down. So therefore, obviously, you being able to having that naloxone in hand is potentially giving you that first aid solution to potentially helping save that person's life or assisting in the recovery time. And having naloxone on hand is basically the difference between life and death.

SPEAKER_01 3:48

And would you say that some people may be hesitant to carry naloxone? Would you say there is stigma attached to carrying naloxone?

SPEAKER_02 3:55

There can be, yes, because of the negativity regarding substance use as a whole in society. But I feel potentially it's the importance of saving a life. And our main thing when I'm doing awareness is about reducing that stigma. And really it should be in a first aid box because anyone can experience an overdose at any given time. It can be through illicit use, but also through prescribed albeit medication as well. So it isn't necessarily just the substance users that are at risk. Anyone is at risk of an overdose. So yeah, I would say potentially there is, but it is about if you can save someone's life and you can have that kit, then you carry it and make a difference because every life matters.

SPEAKER_01 4:36

And Kate, can you tell us whether naloxone will work on all drugs?

SPEAKER_03 4:40

Yeah, so so naloxone is designed just to work on opiates. Basically, chuck any um opious of your receptors in your brain. So that's what brings people around and allows them to breed. However, you know, there's lots of drugs that people are taking nowadays, illicit drugs, and you you might not be aware of what's within those drugs. It could be fentanyl, a lot of the um stronger-based drugs, you know, nitazines, there's lots of different opiates cut within different types of drugs, benzadiazepines, even crack cocaine. So it's really important that you're aware of that. So if if you're not expecting anybody to go into overdose, you won't be carrying a kit with you, but there is that risk. So it's just been observing that situation. And we know through recent deaths that some people have died as a result of having fentanyl in the system and and nitazines in the system, you know. So that person might have just been taking crack cocaine, you know. Um so yeah, it's really important.

SPEAKER_01 5:49

And so if I give my friend an alloxone and they did not take an opioid, would naloxone harm them in any way?

SPEAKER_03 5:57

No, no, absolutely not. It's safe. If you're worried and you think somebody's in an overdose situation or or they've collapsed for whatever reason and you suspect it might be drug related, still do use a naloxone because that can make that difference for that individual and they will not be harmed by it in any way. If you're worried or concerned about it, you know you can always speak to a healthcare professional who will offer you the same reassurance.

SPEAKER_01 6:24

And Yvonne, could you also tell us when would a loved one or friend be at most at risk of an overdose?

SPEAKER_02 6:32

Yeah, the risk factors potentially could be using alone, actually. Um, if they're on their own, they are at massive risk at that time. So we always encourage people to potentially have someone else by their side or use a contact number or something somewhere along the line. One time when people are really at risk is if they have maybe had a history of overdoses in the past, or if they have had a spell in prison or have been in residential rehabilitation, so their tolerance of the substance use has dropped. So, therefore, if they come back in the community and they potentially use, they're at higher risk because they don't have the tolerance there. Also, if there's maybe a dip in their physical or their mental health, but also as well if they have got impacted by life events like out of their control situations, maybe a bereavement, or they've experienced something that's gone wrong for them, or not so good, like homelessness, can be a massive side. If they have an influx in finances, for example, um, from back-day benefits or anything, or any money incoming whatsoever, um, that can be a risk factor. Christmas periods, holidays, um, but to be fair as well, uh, really all time is a high-risk time, purely and simply because you never ever know what is in any substance at any given time. So you don't know really what you're taking. It doesn't have any ingredients label. So therefore, every time you take substance, you are at risk of an overdose. Um so yeah, I think that massive awareness side. So go slow and potentially always test. And if we do we do provide testing strips as well, so that would be a good way as well to see what is actually in your substances for the opiate sides too.

SPEAKER_01 8:21

And could you tell us uh what are the signs of overdose and when should I call 999?

SPEAKER_02 8:28

So calling 999 is an immediate response to anybody that you think is in an overdose situation. Your overdose signs are very much a case of the unconscious and responsive. So immediately 999. You have shallow breathing, you can have that rasping breath, and sometimes it's deemed as a snoring sound, or that's person actually struggling for breath. Your pale, clammy skin can be the signs. Also, as well, like say the pupils um can be pinpointed, um, their paler skin, the bluish lips round about, there can be signs of vomiting, their breathing could be slow or shallow or irregular. And as stated before, they can be not breathing at all. Sometimes there can be signs of vomiting roundabout them. But basically, as well, one of the biggest signs is that if someone they don't wake up or respond to your voice if you talk loudly to them as well, um, and yeah, by a gentle shake on the shoulders. But unresponsive and unconscious is the biggest one.

SPEAKER_01 9:32

And once I would administer naloxone, could you tell us, you know, how I can administer the naloxone and also what I should look out for afterwards?

SPEAKER_02 9:42

So potentially on administering the naloxone, it is obviously the firstly, is recognising that overdose situation that you have got that unconscious, unresponsive person and you're unable to rouse them. Um, you have got the 999 call made and you will have that call handler at the end of the phone to do and talk you through what your next steps are. So that is like a safety factor and a protective factor for yourself. Call out for help. There might be other people around about you as well who can support you in this situation, and you would potentially start to administer the naloxone should you have a kit either by the nasal or the intermuscular kit. Um, and also as well, the instructions are in the boxes. In both kits and with a nasal, you have got two kits, which is the two you would use when you're using the nalox, the nexoid, the nasal sprays, you potentially it's each nostril, one dose goes into alternating the nostrils and the injectable as you follow the process and follow the call administrator's guidelines on administering that as well if you're insured, but you get training as well when you get your kit. I think when you are in the process of doing the administration side as well, it is important that you stay with the person. And if they do regain consciousness during that time, you encourage that person to stay with you as well so that they can seek medical attention and so that they can get any follow-up. Because although the naloxone removes all the opiates from the body, naloxone doesn't know what's the illicit substance to the prescribed substance. So therefore, that person may need a bit of support medically from professionals. So we always say that you stay with the person and stay in that space for them and just reassure them that everything's going to be okay and that you've had that intent to save their life because they might not necessarily be happy that you've administered no also neither.

SPEAKER_01 11:34

And so, although there are instructions as part of the kit for nasal and injectable, is there training available or could I access training in any way?

SPEAKER_02 11:44

Yes, when we potentially give out kits, we deliver that training at the at the time. Um there is also available, so it's face-to-face training where potentially you can get hands-on experience and practical experience and talk through, being able to administer and being able to set up those kits. So that opposite, if you do come across a situation like that, you're more confident and competent within yourself, knowing that you know how to use it correctly. There is also online training available for individuals. Um, and so therefore, if you're not happier, you're not able to get to an office somewhere or where there's supplies available, then you can get training that way as well.

SPEAKER_01 12:23

And Kate, uh, could you tell me, does it matter which naloxone I use?

SPEAKER_03 12:27

Yeah, no, absolutely not. You know, you just use what's available to you because that'll save life. So don't don't don't be worrying about which kit you have. Don't think one's better than the other. The the ultimate idea is just to get the um into the um individual system.

SPEAKER_01 12:46

And can anyone get an eluxo kit? And um do kits expire?

SPEAKER_03 12:51

Yeah, so anybody can get a kit. Um, you can contact any of the services within within the county. Um, you've got Wigu, you've got um specialist drug and alcohol services, you've got um the Scottish families affected by drug and alcohol. So all these things can be found online or just phone any of the services and we'll we'll direct you um to how you can collect your kits. And all the kits do have an expiry date. But if you're in a situation where somebody is overdosing, don't worry about the expiry date being on there, just use it anyway, because it's still it still might work.

SPEAKER_01 13:29

And if I use the the kit, uh, could you tell me how I can return it or what do I do with it once I've used it?

SPEAKER_03 13:37

Yeah, so again, just uh make sure you know if it's if it's the Pinoxide um with the needle, make sure you you store the needle and safely because there's a risk of um needle stick injury. So that's about protecting yourself and from contracting, you know, any viruses, you know, like hep C and HIV. So that's really important that you store that in a safe place. If the integrity of the box is broken just anywhere where you can find a safe place of it. So if you've not got a safe storage box, the sharps box, just put it into a Tupperware kit. It can be it can be absolutely anything, any plastic container. Um, and then you can either take it to a pharmacy, you can bring it into the services who provide um injecting equipment provisions. So they can be found at um specialist drug and alcohol services and the with you services and some pharmacy services who provide that. But basically anywhere that your GP or pharmacy who holds um sharp needle boxes and they'll dispose it.

SPEAKER_01 14:38

And I know we touched a little bit on how to get a kit or where to get the kit from. But Yvonne, could you just give us a little bit more information around um where we can get the kits from?

SPEAKER_02 14:49

So the naloxone kits potentially are available from the NHS Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service. They're available from the We Are With You offices based in Dumfries and in Strenraer across our Dumfries and Galloway region. Um you can contact us free on the 0800-0350793 number, which is free for everybody to phone. And if you don't want to speak to someone as well, you can also contact us by email at some priestgalloway.wearwithyou.org.uk. Scottish families affected by drugs as well can also do a click and delivery service. And that's a way that they provide training as well. You got online training, and then they would post the kit to yourselves. Our asset of outreach team are very responsive to our potential near fatal overdoses. So therefore, they carry out and deliver kits as well where um is necessary. But anybody and anyone can get a kit. We also have awareness events that potentially we have in the region as well, so just watch out for any advertisements of those where naloxone can be received and training can be delivered.

SPEAKER_01 16:02

Thank you both so much. It's been really informative. But I just want to ask uh you, Kate and Yvonne, is there anything else you'd like to add or you know, send a message out there to people?

SPEAKER_03 16:14

The the key message for me is that we know that naloxone is saving lives, you know, and it's saving lives to people who are not in treatment. So it's important that you have access to naloxone and you have it available for yourself if you're worried or know somebody who's taking illicit drugs, regardless of whether it's an opiate-based drug or not. And that includes prescribed drugs, you know, so lots of people who are prescribed methadone and other opiate-based drugs. So it will help them um improve the outcome for that individual as well. And, you know, if that person isn't currently in treatment, you know, encourage them to seek that support and advice, you know, whether that's from with you services or from the NHS. We're here to help. We're here to help you progress your journey and reduce those risks. So please do not hesitate to get in touch with any of the services.

SPEAKER_02 17:14

Thank you, Kate. And Yvonne? I think for me it is just a case of getting that message about that we can prevent a drug death. We just need to know how. Um and it is important that everybody is able to have and respond to an overdose situation. And naloxone is safe to use, you know, it doesn't potentially give any harm at all. So even if there's not been opiates used, you're not going to cause any harm to that individual. So it's really, really important. And carrying naloxone saves lives. And that's where potentially together and by raising awareness, we can make a difference in our region.

SPEAKER_00 17:49

Thanks for listening to Breaking the Stigma from Dumfries and Galloway, ADP. For support and information, visit dgadp.co.uk. Take care.