Naloxone: ALABARÉ Says Government Could Save Thousands of Lives
We've responded to a Government consultation, saying there's an opportunity to save lives by improving accessibility to the drug, naloxone.
ALABARÉ believes the Government has the opportunity to save thousands of lives by improving accessibility to the drug, naloxone.
The medication works as an antidote to opioid overdoses, caused by substances like heroin, methadone, morphine, nitazenes, and fentanyl.
During an overdose, an individual’s breathing will slow down and can stop completely, and naloxone, administered either by injection or a nasal spray, will reverse those effects.
The current rules around the supply of naloxone mean only pharmacists, registered nurses, paramedics, emergency services, and drug treatment services can provide the medication without a prescription.
The Government’s open consultation has been looking to add homelessness services, like those within ALABARÉ, to the list of places where naloxone is available and ensure more lives can be protected in case of emergency.
Why is this so important?
Across England and Wales, drug-related deaths have reached a record high of over 5,500 during 2024, according to the latest figures from the Government.
Opioid-related deaths average around 40 every week in the UK, with deaths involving potent synthetic opioids, known as nitazenes, increased by 275% from 2023 to 2024, to almost 200 fatalities in total.
Within ALABARÉ, many of the people coming into homelessness services have a history of substance misuse, and the charity works alongside partner organisations to signpost towards treatment and rehabilitation.
Naloxone itself is safe for anyone to administer, cannot harm a person who isn’t at the point of overdose unless they are heavily pregnant, and it is also not addictive and cannot be abused.
Our supported living accommodation properties have supplies of naloxone to help people in need, with colleagues given external training on its usage and benefits.
Most recently, that training has been delivered to the team at the Wiltshire Foyer, which supports young people at risk of homelessness, often leaving the care system.
Service Manager at ALABARÉ, Tiffany Graham, said: “The trainers from Connect Wiltshire were both very knowledgeable, and we thank them for the training, which we feel could make a huge difference within our service.”
Naloxone Saves Lives
ALABARÉ has submitted a formal response to the Government consultation, supporting the expansion of access to naloxone.
The charity does, however, ask for the wording of any new legislation to be clear in ensuring that supported living accommodation and homelessness drop-in services are included in the services allowed to supply medication without prescription, for the purpose of saving lives.
Alex Cattelona, Head of Homelessness Services at ALABARÉ, said:
“I carry a supply of naloxone on me at all times, as I’ve seen firsthand how vital it can be in saving a person’s life from overdose, and helping them to recover quickly. I would love to see naloxone become more well-known and widespread across society, just like we’ve seen with defibrillators in the last few years, to help people having a cardiac arrest.
“This drug genuinely saves lives, and it’s so important that it can be accessed. ALABARÉ is leading the way in raising awareness of naloxone, making sure colleagues know about its benefits and how to use it. I know our teams would always step in to help support people who need help, and if the Government’s proposals mean the supply of naloxone without a prescription is more readily available, then that will save thousands of lives nationally.”
Support ALABARÉ to continue life-saving work
Naloxone kits cost in the region of £30 each and have a shelf life of two years.
You can help ensure ALABARÉ has a stock of the medication by donating to the charity today.
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