NHS aims to battle drug deaths with 'overdose kits'

Published on Thursday 23 July 2009 21:47

OVERDOSE kits are to be given to addicts in Inverness to try to cut the number of drug deaths in the Highland capital.

There have been six drug-related deaths in the area this year and 41 between 2005 and 2007.

Under a pilot scheme run by NHS Highland, users could be given the opiate antidote naloxone which can keep a heroin user who is slipping into a potentially fatal coma alive for up to 20 minutes.

Family members and friends of drug users will also be given training on how to detect the early signs of an overdose and on basic resuscitation techniques.

Naloxone kits were given to addicts' friends and families under two previous projects in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire which have been extended.

However, it has also been claimed that giving addicts naloxone could lead to reckless drug abuse and giving people needles to take home could put children in danger.

NHS Highland says naloxone is a safe medicine which acts as an antidote to opiate drugs, including heroin. It is not addictive but if administered as part of emergency response to an overdose, it could help save a life.