Take Home Naloxone Program via Participating Community Pharmacies

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Take Home Naloxone Program via Participating Community Pharmacies
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Arturo88 on 27/08/2024 - 09:03 ppaonline.com.au (1153 clicks)
Last edited 28/08/2024 - 08:06 by 1 other user

From 1 July 2022, naloxone is available for free with no prescription. This is for anyone who may experience, or witness, an opioid overdose or adverse reaction.

Naloxone is a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose or adverse reaction. If someone has overdosed on opioids they will be unconscious or awake, but unable to talk. It’s unlikely they will be able to administer naloxone themselves.

Naloxone can be taken by injection or delivery through a nasal spray. It works by blocking opioid drugs, such as heroin and oxycodone, from attaching to opioid receptors in the brain.

  • OP Note: The number of people immediately assuming that this is only for 'junkies' is shocking, showing a complete lack of empathy. Clearly you don't understand the realities of drug abuse in our communities. This isn't just for addicts—it's for everyone. It could save a teenager's life at a party, help your mother who has chronic back pain and accidentally overdoses, or protect young adults who might unknowingly take something laced while clubbing. It's a good life saving program.
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Comments

      • outlander on 27/08/2024 - 11:00
        +1

        Will you still be gleeful when it's your family member who dies? Will you still call them a junkie, or will they be the exception… ?

          • outlander on 27/08/2024 - 11:07
            +5

            @GS9891:

            people need to take responsibility for their actions.

            Hard to do that if you're dead

          • magic8ballgag on 27/08/2024 - 11:32
            +2

            @GS9891:

            Thankfully I know my family aren't silly enough to mess with such substances

            You and your family sound like such a perfect group of people, if only the rest of the world were so lucky.

            • GS9891 on 27/08/2024 - 17:35
              -1

              @magic8ballgag:

              if only the rest of the world were so lucky

              No luck needed, it's not exactly hard to not take illegal drugs.

              If a kid has it given to them by a parent/anyone when they're too young to know better (i.e. <13~ or so) or someone has their drink roofied or the such by another, that's about the only real scenario where it's not their fault.

              • magic8ballgag on 27/08/2024 - 19:54
                +5

                @GS9891:

                No luck needed, it's not exactly hard to not take illegal drugs.

                This sentence alone says you have lived quite a sheltered life and that you really know nothing substance abuse.

                • GS9891 on 28/08/2024 - 00:36

                  @magic8ballgag:

                  This sentence alone says you have lived quite a sheltered life and that you really know nothing substance abuse.

                  I guess having the basic impulse control to not mess around with drugs = "sheltered", might as well call any childhood environment other than a crackhouse sheltered then.

                  • marzzbar on 28/08/2024 - 09:43
                    +2

                    @GS9891: Just about every heroin user I've met has had some heavy trauma in their past. Heroin is primarily used an escape from the pain of that trauma.

          • Donmega123 on 27/08/2024 - 11:54

            @GS9891: Gee your poor friend's family, that's a shitty end.

      • freefall101 on 27/08/2024 - 12:56
        +3

        Not only do you lack empathy, but it also saves the taxpayer money. It's cheaper to give someone naloxone than have to deal with a corpse on public transport.

        • Bdawg on 18/09/2024 - 10:56

          Not in the long run it's not.

      • Topdog on 27/08/2024 - 19:39

        Not everyone that OD’s is a junkie

        • illogicalerror on 03/09/2024 - 12:30

          Most people who experience drug addiction manage to overcome it and return to becoming contributing members of society as well.

  • Binchicken22 on 27/08/2024 - 09:35
    +6

    Any harm in giving this stuff if the recipient isn't suffering a heroin OD? I.e you mistakenly think they might be?

  • payless69 on 27/08/2024 - 09:46

    This complements other freebies like syringes or morning after pills.

  • toastpaint on 27/08/2024 - 11:13
    +4

    Does anyone know the expiry on these? Wanting to know how often I would need to replace it, given it will just sit at the back of the cupboard/fridge.

    • Russ on 27/08/2024 - 11:33
      +1

      Whenever you buy an essential medication that you use infrequently, set an alert on the calendar app on your smartphone, to give you a month's warning of the expiry.

    • Horacio on 27/08/2024 - 11:54

      There was about two years left before expiry from the date of both the times I obtained some (Nyxoid nasal spray).

    • Arturo88 on 27/08/2024 - 11:37
      +8

      damn, imagine being able to save a friend who took too much at a music festival, madness. Grow up.

      • Donmega123 on 27/08/2024 - 11:47
        +1

        Man I'd be more worried about kids going to music festivals.

    • Bdawg on 18/09/2024 - 10:57
      +1

      Haha, I too am amazed at the passion involved in this thread.

  • Donmega123 on 27/08/2024 - 11:40
    -5

    You know this is a good thing, my Nanna used to make a tea from lemon juice and poppy seeds whenever anyone had an upset stomach. It will probably have some knock on effect where junkies go back to speedballing or whatever now that they can neutralise the heroin.

    • Jolakot on 27/08/2024 - 14:36
      +2

      You ever see someone have naloxone used on them? It turns off all opioid receptors, putting the person right smack-bang into the middle of withdrawals. They look like a fish pulled out of the water, awful to witness. Nobody would be using this unless it was life or death.

  • Horacio on 27/08/2024 - 11:51

    I got two these a couple of years ago (now expired) but for some time the local chemists that are listed as participating, have not had it (Sydney). Has anyone actually picked any up recently?

    • Horacio on 27/08/2024 - 11:59

      Like to add that I did manage to get some more via a small donation to an inner city safe users clinic. But it was a fair bit of fiddling around and I am presumably more cautious than the target population for this scheme so it would be better if it was back in stock via pharmacies.

    • LukeS on 28/08/2024 - 21:39
      +1

      I had trouble finding pharmacies holding stock. Found one today in Sydney CBD - Glover Chemist in the Galleries.

  • Yorkshire-Man on 27/08/2024 - 11:55
    +12

    Such judgement about 'junkies'. Does this apply to the person that got described painkillers for chronic pain by their Dr's, got addicted to them & couldn't stop? Jeez, this could be anyone, you likely know people that are & you just dont know.

    So easy to just use the word 'junkie' without looking any further.

    • mskeggs on 27/08/2024 - 11:59
      +2

      Junkies are just people.
      Some people hate people who are different to them, so you get this "let them die" nonsense.

      • Yorkshire-Man on 27/08/2024 - 12:57

        Lack of empathy. If this 'junkie' was my kid I would go to the ends of the earth to support them. Just people that have either made poor choices or been led by Dr's who have made poor choices.

      • Bdawg on 18/09/2024 - 10:59

        I love the junkies that keep damaging my house.

        • mskeggs on 18/09/2024 - 11:02

          Why are they damaging your house repeatedly? Do you want them dead?

          • Bdawg on 18/09/2024 - 11:17

            @mskeggs: They are damaging it because they don't like the junkie tenants inside the house. I wouldn't mind if they perished.

            • mskeggs on 18/09/2024 - 12:30

              @Bdawg: I'm just going to choose to believe you are some sort of pulp fiction drug kingpin in the middle of a gang war, and rivals are targeting your home.
              Just spray them with the Uzi next time they roll up to cause damage, Scarface style.

    • ssfps on 27/08/2024 - 13:58

      Strong drug addiction, especially opiates, cause so much harm to the commonweal that, much like child molesters or other violent criminals, we should not be expending taxpayer money to try and keep them continuing in their status quo.

      They should have an ambo called and then be kept in custody.

      Unlike the free needle programs, which may (arguably) be a net benefit for public safety, how does giving out taxpayer naloxone to a class of people with poor rehabilitation prospects actually do anything good? I have a hard time believing the people saying life for the sake of life is inherently good regardless of what that life is, would feel the same way about someone who molested their kid, so we're all at least a bit utilitarian.

      • Yorkshire-Man on 27/08/2024 - 14:14
        +1

        Addiction is horrible, no matter what it's to. Addicts chase what they are addicted to & ruin lives chasing their addiction. But they need help, absolutely we should MAKE them get help if they don't want to, that's a social policy (largely ignored… we cant even ban pokies despite the lives its ruining right now) but should we save their lives if they are dying in the street? Absolutely. That addict is someones loved one.

      • Jolakot on 27/08/2024 - 14:33
        +1

        They should have an ambo called and then be kept in custody.

        Maybe let's just start with tax-payer funded rehab first? Would be a great deal cheaper than prison, or wherever else you plan to put these people.

        how does giving out taxpayer naloxone to a class of people with poor rehabilitation prospects actually do anything good

        Opioid addiction has one of the best rehabilitation prospects of any class of addiction…

      • testpost on 27/08/2024 - 14:36

        Statistically speaking the best thing we could do for society is introduce prohibition on alcohol and tax the ever-loving shit out of processed food and added sugar.

        But nah, that makes too many people feel like bad guys.

        • Jolakot on 27/08/2024 - 14:40
          +1

          Has prohibition ever actually worked? We can't even ban cigarettes despite them leading to actual deaths

          • testpost on 27/08/2024 - 14:42
            +1

            @Jolakot: I'm spinning a bit of a hypothetical. Clearly it's completely unfeasible to ban alcohol but my point is that the most damaging substances to society are also the most innocuous. Opioids really aren't that big a burden on our country compared to the consequences of alcoholism or poor diet.

            It's just easier for most people to draw a line in the sand with illegal drugs whilst also typically living pretty unhealthily themselves.

      • mskeggs on 27/08/2024 - 17:41
        +3

        I don't think you have a clue on this topic.
        I've been close to 4 people who have been regular users of opiates, 1 died, 3 gave them up and are respectable members of society now.
        I've known quite a few more who have used opiates irregularly, including people with lots of money from a serious career.

        Any of these people could have OD'd and one did. Their parents would have very much liked to have had someone give that person some naloxone instead of having to organize a funeral.

        • Russ on 27/08/2024 - 23:15

          I knew a few casual drug users when I was at uni (mostly marijuana), when I was staying in the residential college. One of them had their father commit suicide, and they spiralled into depression really rapidly, and used illegal drugs to numb their pain. They left the residential college within days, and I never saw them again.

          If naloxone had been available then (decades ago), I would have obtained some and kept it handy.

      • Skinnerr on 28/08/2024 - 03:39

        Holy shit, did you just compare pedos and violent criminals to drug users? Astonishing.

    • Donmega123 on 27/08/2024 - 17:37

      Dude junkies are people that shoot junk it's a pretty uncontroversial designation

  • Cluster on 27/08/2024 - 12:10

    It's mind blowing watching some of the Youtube videos of worst fentanyl areas in Pennsylvania. Many of the addicts interviewed on the street freely admit they've come close to death dozens of times through overdoses but they just keep coming back again and again. 'Yeah, I know this can kill me' and 5 minutes later they're looking for another dose.

    • MessyG on 27/08/2024 - 13:16

      Addiction is a horrible, horrible disease.

  • Ashy Larry on 27/08/2024 - 12:35

    If your "experiencing, witnessing" this your not living your best life.

  • Blackshaws on 27/08/2024 - 13:07
    +5

    Regarding the Take Home Naloxone program. While the initiative is great given the rapidly escalating opioid deaths, there's a significant practical issue that's not being discussed enough: STOCK AVAILABILITY.

    The main problem with this program is that naloxone is often unavailable from pharmacy wholesalers, and it goes out of stock for months at a time. This can make it frustrating for both pharmacies and individuals trying to access this when it is critically needed.

    If you're in the inner West Melbourne area, specifically near Altona North, at Blackshaws Road Pharmacy, we currently have a number of Nyxoid nasal sprays on hand. We're setting them aside for people who need them.

    You can find more information and reserve one here:
    https://blackshawspharmacy.com.au/products/nyxoid-1-8mg-actu…

    Important notes:

    These are for in-store pickup only.
    You'll need to speak with a pharmacist when you come to collect, as Nyxoid is a Schedule 3 medication.
    I hope this helps some of you who've been having trouble finding naloxone. Remember, having this on hand could potentially save a life in an emergency situation.

  • May4th on 27/08/2024 - 13:54
    +2

    isnt it great nowadays people feel empowered to offer their unqualified opinions on topics they have no clue about

  • thatguyfromthatplace on 27/08/2024 - 14:03

    I think I'll leave it to the paramedics, thanks.

  • testpost on 27/08/2024 - 14:04
    +1

    A few notes based upon what I've read here:

    Is it addictive?
    No. It would be physiologically impossible to become addicted to Naloxone as it does the opposite of drugs like heroin, it BLOCKS instead of activates.

    Do I need it?
    I'd recommend keeping a few doses in your car's first aid kit or at home.
    If you or people you know take any form of drugs then yes, it is advisable. Drugs like ketamine, cocaine or MDMA have been found to be laced with fentanyl, an extremely powerful opiate that can rapidly lead to an overdose crisis.
    If you are concerned about a friend or family member abusing opiates then it might save their life.
    If you are in an area where there is a large 'at risk' population then you would be doing a public service by having it on hand.

    Remember that the same victim blaming and incorrect perceptions about drug use in the United States is a contributing factor as to how the current opioid crisis was allowed to spread. A huge number of people who overdose on opiates started using them to manage pain from an injury. Others are escaping profoundly miserable lives using a drug less conventional than alcohol. More still are simply the unknowing victims of opiates being in a party drug. Almost all of us can potentially fall into one of these 3 categories at some point in our lives, so try not to be prejudiced or make assumptions.

    Do people get angry after receiving naloxone?
    Be aware that Naloxone basically does the exact opposite of opiates - so people who are in a painless, dopey slumber may display the exact opposite behaviour in 2-3 minutes after. Do not expect them to be immediately thankful and happy to be alive - biologically speaking the life-saving effect of Naloxone may cause the opposite. So stay alert after you have administered it and put them in the recovery position.

    How do I administer naloxone?
    It depends. Most over the counter naloxone kits are administered through a nasal spray, which is designed to be extremely easy to use! You can read more about how to properly assess and administer it here:
    * https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/programs/Factsheets/naloxo…
    * https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf…

    What if my kid takes it or someone who doesn't need it is given it?
    According to the US FDA and South Australian Government they will be fine.

    What happens after?
    You should be calling an ambulance before administration of Naloxone. Be aware that Naloxone works for a few hours, tops. Some opiates can remain in your system longer than Naloxone, so after a while the individual may begin to overdose again.This is why it is vital for emergency services to be called.

  • Clear on 27/08/2024 - 14:13

    This makes me crave fentanyl. I've only ever had it in hospital and I know how easy it could become addictive.

  • gfjh567gh3 on 27/08/2024 - 14:59
    +2

    Is it free, or is my tax paying for it?

    • May4th on 27/08/2024 - 16:11
      +2

      of all the things our taxes are wasted on this isnt it

      • gfjh567gh3 on 27/08/2024 - 16:40
        -3

        Not to seem too harsh, but many view these as a cash cow for big pharma and the only benefit is keeping junkies alive for a few months longer. We already know they wake up swinging. USA has had narcan for years

        • May4th on 27/08/2024 - 17:06
          +3

          maybe so, but that's another few months of being someones son or daughter, and if 1/100 ends up clean and lead a productive life then that's money well spent than on helicopters rides for politicians

          • gfjh567gh3 on 27/08/2024 - 17:44

            @May4th: I'm afraid that 1 in 100 is a an ambitious number for redemption. Those other 99+ are doing a lot of damage to society and those around them.

            I have a lot of empathy for people that slipped through the cracks, however it may have happened, and are now addicts. For many, it's not their fault. But realistically, once you hit the point of being narcaned, you are statistically very unlikely to turn that around and become a productive member of society

            • May4th on 27/08/2024 - 19:06
              +3

              @gfjh567gh3: then I guess we should stop subsidising diabetes medictions too

            • Skinnerr on 28/08/2024 - 03:42
              +1

              @gfjh567gh3: All this moral grandstanding but no solution

              But realistically, once you hit the point of being narcaned, you are statistically very unlikely to turn that around and become a productive member of society

              There's countless opioid addict survivors who've been narcanned and turned their lives around, nonsense take.

            • illogicalerror on 03/09/2024 - 12:54

              @gfjh567gh3: Someone can overdose on opioids any time they try any illegal drug because synthetic opioids are so potent that little flecks can make even cannabis deadly if it has come in contact. People die from opioid overdose from using cocaine and speed pretty often as well as ketamine and MDMA.

              These people are not junkies, they aren't a burden to you or society. They are a product of a legal system that has made standard drugs hard to get, so people have filled the market gap with synthesized ultra potent analogues. These are cheap, readily available and a piece as small as piece of sand can kill several people… and it's sticky and gets in everything. And people die from this all the time. This is what is causing all the overdoses and why they are handing out narcan everywhere. Because that good person you always knew took one dose of something that is supposed to be relatively safe, but now they are dead from opioids.

              I really don't hope it's a young person in your family, or in a friends family it happens to. But if it did you would realise how full of sht so many have been in this discussion. So naive. Waving round the "junkies are evil" stick like it's us and them, not caring for a moment.

  • jebdra on 27/08/2024 - 15:07
    +4

    It seems a bit unfair that this is free, but people with severe allergies have to pay $30 for an EpiPen.

    • lbft on 27/08/2024 - 15:24
      +2

      Yes, all prescriptions should be free (paid for by yours and my tax, for those who are about to shout about tax). But one group of people being treated unfairly doesn't mean another group should needlessly die (since junkies are unlikely to go to a GP and get a script in their name for something that marks them as a junkie).

      Less dead people is good.

    • GS9891 on 27/08/2024 - 17:38
      +1

      Yep, absolute insanity now that you mention that. Free meds for junkies rolling the dice for a high, while people with actual allergies who generally try and play it super-safe (but might get screwed by a restaurant sneaking peanuts into a dish they promised was peanut-free) have to fork out for their life-saving meds.

    • freefall101 on 27/08/2024 - 18:34
      +1

      Simple nasal injector epinephrine is on the way, epipens have always been a messed up instance of patents keeping the price high (they're insanely priced in the US) despite being an old drug. Hopefully the cost comes to near nothing for those who need them.

      The problem with handing out epipens for free though is people not knowing how to use it and people misusing them. Epinephrine is generally better known by its other name, adrenaline. Give it to the wrong person by mistake and you might give them a heart attack.

    • LukeS on 28/08/2024 - 21:41

      It would be great if EpiPens were also free. I picked some of these up to put in my CPR kit (I am a GoodSam Responder). I would love to have EpiPens in there as well, but without a prescription, it's >$100 per pen, which I can't justify the outlay of.

  • JDearyMe on 27/08/2024 - 16:07
    +1

    Just so everyone is aware, currently there are drugs being laced with synthetic opioids that are dick loads stronger than heroin. Many people, who aren't "junkies", who aren't specifically taking heroin, or any other opioid for that manner, are at risk of accidentally ingesting a lethal amount if a drug they have is laced with it.

    Having Naloxone on hand isn't just to use on junkies on the street. It could save the life of someone who thinks they're taking some other drugs in a modest amount (mdma / cocaine / etc). Festival goers, ravers, even your mate down the pub on the weekend could be at risk.

    Safest to stay away from drugs all together, yes. But if you're going to do it this stuff may save a life.

    • GS9891 on 27/08/2024 - 17:30
      -2

      Many people, who aren't "junkies"

      if a drug they have is laced with it

      Legal drugs from the pharmacy won't be laced with anything. If someone is willing to play roulette by consuming illegal drugs from who the hell knows where, they're either a junkie or a junkie in training.

      Safest to stay away from drugs all together, yes

      And which is incredibly simple to do.

      • Russ on 27/08/2024 - 22:08
        +2

        which is incredibly simple to do

        Never heard of date rape and drink spiking? Or read a news article about a child who took their parent's pills thinking they were sweets? Or attempted suicide by someone who isn't a drug user?

        In all the above cases, the people aren't "junkies", and have an excellent chance of being useful members of society. Naloxone could easily help them survive.

        • GS9891 on 28/08/2024 - 00:41

          Never heard of date rape and drink spiking?

          Hence the 'willing' to play roulette in my previous comment. A child who doesn't know what they're consuming, or someone unwittingly drugged, are about the only scenarios where it wouldn't be their fault yes.

          Naloxone could easily help them survive.

          But probably won't as such scenarios involving opioids are incredibly rare (not sure if drink spiking with opioids is even a thing actually, would assume it to be more a roofie affair).

      • May4th on 27/08/2024 - 23:48
        +5

        i guess you are one of those people who's never taken a wrong step and lived a perfect life, which is fine but that is a privilege you do not recognise. people end up on drugs for a variety of reasons, not all of which is 100% within their control

      • JDearyMe on 29/08/2024 - 15:49
        +2

        Are the old "just say no campaign", cause that's always been super effective.

        Whether you like it or not, majority of grown adults have tried some kind of drug once in their life. If you were to go to a festival with thousands of attendees, chances are most of the people there are taking drugs of some description.

        To label anyone who wants to experiment in a safe and controlled manner as a "junkie in training" is extremely naive and part of the reason why people do not want to ask for help when something goes wrong.

  • Cinema28 on 27/08/2024 - 16:25
    +2

    Thanks so much for posting this! So important for people to know. You can also get them from a lot of needle and syringe program sites. I work in one and we're based in a "shop" not related to any pharmacy, it's funded by the hospital. So if pharmacies are out it's definitely worth a shot looking up where NSP's are located.
    Also, free training is providing for administering it through https://www.hrvic.org.au/training. While the nasal spray is definitely the easiest there's also pre-loaded syringes and ampoules so good to know the basics of them just incase that's the only thing available.

  • AirbusA389 on 27/08/2024 - 16:27
    +7

    my wife used naloxone at work once, having worked 5 years in emergency dept. she was impressed at how fast it worked, and how much hate she received from that dude.

    hospital protocol: they had to get 5 bulky orderlies around 120kg of muscle each. one of them had his hands on the back of her uniform, to literally grab her out once she finished the injection. my wife is 60 kg and 1.68m.

    she gave 100mcg out of a 400mcg vial as per dr's orders. next moment: WWF wrestling match.

    would she do this on the streets? hell no, not without significant police and ambulance backup.

    reversing someone's opioid addiction is not first aid. those dudes spent big money to get to that stage, don't reverse it without police and ambulance backup. Ambulance is required in case they go into naloxone shock.

    it might be an act of kindness, but it's not CPR / First Aid.

    • sam-1966 on 28/08/2024 - 17:14

      Much praise to your wife - that is a hard job and dealing with these situations make it even harder.

  • T Man on 27/08/2024 - 22:24
    +4

    More and more other drugs are being laced with fentanyl and causing severe overdoses

    If you're a parent, you should get one of these in case you come home to find your kid unwittingly (or otherwise) having ingested fentanyl. Might save your kids life.

  • Meek on 27/08/2024 - 23:29
    +11

    This medication saved my life after an accidental overdose of legally prescribed opioids that would have been fatal, had I not received it in time..
    Not everyone is a junkie. I don't take any illegal drugs, I don't smoke, I don't drink.

    A bit disgusting what some people write here, but the votes restore my faith in humanity again.

  • ishoryuken on 27/08/2024 - 23:32
    +3

    lol so many people assuming this is only for junkies… opioids (codeine, oxycodone, fentanyl etc) are so commonly prescribed it's not funny, and many people take it for chronic pain, possibly including the old lady next door who probably suffers from chronic joint or back issues, might even just had a recent hip replacement. If she accidentally takes too much, having something like this around while she suffers an opioid overdose, will save her life…..

  • sator on 28/08/2024 - 07:44
    -2

    Serious question. Isn't it better for them and society if we were to just let them go…?

    • Arturo88 on 28/08/2024 - 08:02
      +3

      Shouldn't even be entertaining this .. but most of these are used at music festivals, clubs, house parties where teenagers or young adults are using light drugs that are laced and require this to save their lives…

  • onesandtwos on 28/08/2024 - 08:25
    +1

    Hate to break it those who think opioid deaths are only junkies who apparently deserve to die because they got addicted, the majority are through prescription opioid, often co-administered with sleeping tablets, alcohol etc., and are accidental. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/opioid-induced-deaths-australia#:~:text=Opioid%20related%20harm%2C%20including%20mortality,(1%2C123%20deaths%2C%2064.5%25).

    Do people also believe that type 2 diabetics shouldn't receive any treatment?

    • GS9891 on 28/08/2024 - 08:40
      -1

      The question is how many of those 'prescription' deaths are people self-medicating for a 'legal' high. Also those numbers are out-of-date.

      Opioids were the most common drug involved in unintentional deaths, with 749 deaths in 2022 compared with 681 in 2021. And of those, heroin was involved in 460 deaths, a 40% increase on the 2021 figure (328).

      460 / 749 = 61.4% of opioid deaths in 2022 were just plain old illicit heroin heroes. Then toss in methadone recovering-junkie deaths + self-medicators and the junkie figures will be much higher.

      • buckster on 28/08/2024 - 10:58
        +1

        Which still means at least 30% are not junkies like your 'perfect self'.

        I don't think highly of pill testing and similar because I think people should just not take substances BUT at the end of the day addiction is addiction and while I'm sure a lot of cases could be avoided with sense, many wouldn't be where they currently are with their addiction struggles by choice.

        It's a slippery slope and it only takes a little for someone to go into freefall. One dumb mistake could put them on the path and that path shouldn't automatically end in death even if you want all substance users dead.

        It's like any form of rehabilitation, one piece of a complex puzzle.

  • DMFD on 28/08/2024 - 19:03

    Spoiler Alert.

    This is for the upcoming introduced fentanyl crisis.

    • illogicalerror on 03/09/2024 - 13:01

      Yeah, we're seeing nitazenes more and more. It's terrifying, more terrifying than fentanyl.

  • LukeS on 28/08/2024 - 21:44
    -1

    For anyone else who gets Naloxone (Narcan) to put in your first aid kit, knowing when to use it so as not to waste it is important. (Although, to be honest, if you find a casualty who is not breathing or not breathing effectively and there is a chance that it is due to an opiod overdose, you're not going to make anything worse by giving them a hit of Naloxone.)

    Anyway, there's a good video covering when to administer it and what to expect here - https://youtu.be/QmorYAecSgk

  • cfuse on 28/08/2024 - 21:50
    +3

    A freebie is a freebie. Is this OzB or not?

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