Naloxone saves lives

The NZ Drug Foundation has been fighting for better access to naloxone for years, and it's still ongoing. While we wait, more people are dying.

Approximately 46 New Zealanders die from opioid overdoses every year, and hundreds are hospitalised. Aotearoa is still grossly under-prepared for the kind of opioid epidemic that has been seen overseas, where tens of thousands died before measures were put in place.

There is strong international evidence backing the use of naloxone to treat opioid overdoses, with guidelines recommending take-home naloxone is handed out to anyone who uses opioids.

A three-year pilot in Australia has seen positive results. Naloxone distribution has also led to helpful conversations and better relationships between people who use drugs and the pharmacy, doctor or non-profit dispensing it.

But in Aotearoa, naloxone is still not funded, and it's not getting to the people who could put it to use. Like this person, who literally saved a life:

In 2021 we took matters into our own hands, setting up a Givealittle which raised enough money to purchase 60 naloxone kits, which we distributed via the Needle Exchange.

Naloxone is also reaching some communities through opioid substitution treatment programmes. We are hearing anecdotally that it has already saved lives.

But this is only a fraction of the amount required. Naloxone should be funded and readily available to anyone who needs it, including friends and loved ones of people using opioids. It should be carried by all Police and Emergency services, and supplied at all needle exchange outlets.