Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid overdose. International and Australian research demonstrates the effectiveness of take-home naloxone (THN) for preventing overdose deaths in opioid users.
A pilot study in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District documented 18 overdose reversals using THN and identified barriers to THN uptake. The District subsequently developed a 10-15 minute THN brief intervention (THN-BI) that incorporates client education and the supply of ‘overdose kits’ with naloxone.
The project will also examine the feasibility, sustainability and scalability of the intervention across NSW Health, by:
(a) examining barriers and facilitators to THN through staff and consumer feedback
(b) an economic analysis of the costs and potential savings to the health system arising from the THN-BI
(c) refinement of THN policies/procedures, and training programs informing future rollout of THN-BI across NSW.
Collaborators: Local health districts (Murrumbidgee, Hunter New England, Sydney, Western Sydney, South Eastern Sydney), St Vincent’s Health Network, NSW Ministry of Health (Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Office), Kirketon Road Centre, NUAA, Burnett Institute, National Drug Research Institute, University of Sydney