Isle of Man plea for drug users to carry overdose life-saver kit

The kits and training are available to anyone at rick of an overdose

People at risk of opioid overdose and their relatives have been urged to make sure they have a kit that could be life-saving.

Naloxone, which temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose, is taken as an injection or nasal spray.

Motiv8 addiction services offers kits containing the medication and training on how to use them.

The charity said public health figures showed its use had saved 35 lives on the island over the past four years.

The charity holds monthly drop-in sessions to pick up the kits and be trained in how to administer the medicine.

But Nicola Brown from Motiv8 said the kits and training were also available outside the organised drop-in times.

She said all the training sessions were "completely confidential" and were open to anyone who themselves is at risk of an overdose, or who knows someone who may be.

"We say it's significant, it's out there, and we say get a kit, carry a kit, save a life," Ms Brown said.

Naloxone can be administered as an intramuscular injection or a nasal spray

Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing, and can be used to counter the effects of an overdose of illicit or prescription drugs.

Symptoms of an overdose include decreased levels of consciousness, shallow or irregular breathing - including periods where breathing may stop - and slow heart rate which can cause cardiac arrest.

While the effects of an overdose can be temporarily reversed, the use of the kit should be coupled with calling an ambulance immediately to get further help, Ms Brown said.

Urging those who may need it to get in touch, she said: "If it wasn't actually an opioid overdose administering the drug makes no ill effects.

"You can't do any damage but you could save somebody's life."

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