Heroin users to be given naloxone in Cork
Heroin addicts, their friends, and immediate relations are to be provided with a series of measures, including an antidote to the Class A drug, in an effort to prevent deaths from overdosing
21 May 2015Nearly 90 fatalities from heroin and other opiates overdoses have been reported in Cork City, Ireland in the past 11 years.
The HSE’s Drug and Alcohol Service is planning to give out the drug naloxone to addicts and those who would have frequent contact with them.
The drug is commonly injected intravenously and provides almost immediate countermeasures. It can also be administered in mist form through a nasal atomiser.
David Lane, HSE South coordinator for the Drug and Alcohol Service, said it was hoped to have naloxone distributed to those most at risk of overdose by the middle of next month.
He said it was part of an overall plan to reduce deaths. His staff have been working on a number of safety measures with heroin users in the past few months, which “are proving to save lives”.
Mr Lane said they have already trained upwards of 100 addicts to help friends who overdose.
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