Teesside businesses urged to sign up for lifesaving anti-drug kits
Restaurants and businesses have been urged to sign up and use lifesaving kits to save those who overdose from heroin.
A total of 150 frontline police officers and PCSOs have been given nasal spray naloxone kits as a last ditch antidote to those who have suffered an opioid overdose. Now a leader in tackling drug problems in the town has urged other groups, organisations and even businesses to play their part.
Danny Ahmed, from Foundations, has helped lead the Heroin Assisted Treatment (HAT) programme in Middlesbrough – which allows those with addictions to self-administer methadone in a controlled environment.
He was keen to see more Naloxone kits used around the town to prevent deaths.
Mr Ahmed said: “It’s important we have as many people and places willing to administer this kit to save lives. We’d be interested in working with retail, restaurants and transport hubs in supporting and training them so they’re able to hold the kits, and if they come across an overdose – an emergency situation – then they’ve got the ability to act and a kit available.
“This makes a huge difference – without these kits and without quick intervention then people will die. You can’t recover from your problems with addiction if you’re dead.”
North Ormesby, Newport and the TS1 area have seen the bulk of problems with heroin addiction and drug-related deaths in the town. Middlesbrough still ranks highly when it comes to drug deaths – with the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing 19 people died in 2020, the joint highest on Teesside.
Injectable naloxone has been used a number of times in the town to save lives – with kits also kept at police stations. Council street wardens saved no fewer than nine people in 2020 using the kits.
Middlesbrough Council’s public health team has been responsible for reducing harms associated with drug use and helping people recover through the ongoing £4.5m Project Adder scheme. Council officer Gemma Swan said they had helped train police officers in the use of Naloxone with other agencies.
She added: “Drug treatment services have used nasal Naloxone for years and years but it’s a massive step forward that the police are carrying it. It raises the profile of nasal Naloxone and those who may not have felt comfortable carrying nasal Naloxone in the past may come forward.
“The only stipulation to carry a kit is whether you’re likely to witness an opiate overdose. It could be family members, peers or a community which witnesses a lot of overdoses – it’s a lifesaving medication.”
Ms Swan also hoped the ease of using nasal naloxone – rather than the injectable kind – may shake off the impression that they’re difficult to use.
“The hope is maybe people who weren’t comfortable before see Cleveland Police carrying the kits and may be more comfortable carrying it,” she added.
“You just approach your local drug services, explain you’re likely to witness an overdose and you’ll be trained in giving a kit.”