[ Skip to main content ]

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:

She came back in a few weeks later to thank me for the kit, as her auntie's partner had an overdose and they were able to administer naloxone after his breathing had slowed, his lips were blue and they couldn't shake him awake. I'm not sure if they still called an ambulance but he was very close to stopping breathing entirely and was brought back by the naloxone less than a minute after it was given."

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.

We estimate at least 85,000 people could benefit from take-home naloxone, including those who use prescription opioids, people on opioid substitution therapy and people who inject illicit opioids. At the moment there are only a few thousand packs getting out there each year. With more, we could save dozens of lives and hundreds of hospitalisations a year.”

Sarah Helm, Executive Director NZ Drug Foundation

What's standing in the way of naloxone distribution? Stigma. Lack of awareness. Lack of urgency. Lack of funding.
Share:

More in this section:

thumbnail acute harm drughelp

Community Response to Acute Drug Harm

Read More
thumbnail acute harm ambo

Synthetic Cannabinoid Crisis

Read More
thumbnail acute harm drughelp

Community of Practice

Read More
thumbnail acute harm drughelp

Pulse survey reports

Read More

Related See more

acid banner

Drug Foundation warns some LSD circulating is more dangerous drug

Drug checking services at Rhythm and Vines found potent psychedelic and stimulant, 25B-NBOH, sold as tabs of LSD.

ambulance on country road

Report: Fatal overdoses in Aotearoa 2017-2021

New data shows fatal overdoses have increased by 54% in the last five years

ambulance 2 crop

Increase in overdose deaths must prompt action

The NZ Drug Foundation says a 54% increase in drug overdose deaths between 2017 and 2021 is deeply concerning and must prompt swift action o...

mos nov 2018 synthetics image2

Preparing for another synthetic cannabinoids spike

Spikes in synthetic cannabinoids harm can happen at any time, and we continue to see incidents that leave in their wake a trail of casualtie...

Drug Index

We believe that access to accurate, clear information is essential to reduce drug-related harm. This index provides harm reduction advice for drugs that are common in New Zealand.

The Level promo

Straight up guide for people who are using drugs

We are here for real people, in real life, whatever level you are at.

The Level

Living Sober 2 260x160px

Are you drinking too much alcohol?

A safe space to talk openly and honestly about your relationship with alcohol.

livingsober.org.nz

Back to top