Harm Reduction Services
Harm Reduction Services
Naloxone
Naloxone is an evidenced-based drug that can reverse the effects of opioid drugs like heroin, methadone, opium, codeine, morphine and buprenorphine. It is only effective for opioid overdoses and won’t work with any other drug.
It is currently available locally (mainly) through Inverclyde Alcohol and Drug Service (ADRS), Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD) and Pharmacies participating in the National Naloxone Provision Scheme.
Naloxone has a very specific action in reversing the effects of opioid intoxication. It does not produce any intoxication itself and has no effect on people who don’t have opioids in their system.
The ADP is set out to train and supply Naloxone to as many third sector partners as possible and ensure roll-out to voluntary Peer Mentors to ensure wider participation in the programme.
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs are now able to provide naloxone direct to anyone living in Scotland who is over the age of 16 through our ‘Click & Deliver’ take-home naloxone service, you can visit their Take Home Naloxone page to order a kit.
Blood-Borne Virus Testing and Wound Care
There are several health risks associated with injecting drug use:
Abscesses, cellulitis, collapsed veins (injecting with a blunt needle, overuse of injecting sites) and increased risk of getting a blood-borne virus (BBV), particularly Hepatitis C.
BBVs are carried in the blood and can be spread from one person to another. Those infected with a BBV may show little or no symptoms of serious disease, but other infected people may be severely ill.
For more information on wound care and BBV testing you can contact your local Alcohol and Drug Service (ADRS)
People can present at the Wellpark Centre in person or contact the service directly on 01475 715353.
