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Nik Kershaw

The Riddle

Active Drug Users To Be Educated By HSE To Avoid Overdoses

Tuesday, 19 December 2023 09:23

There has been a rising number of overdoses from nitazenes recently.

Active drugs users in the Midlands are going to be trained in how to treat overdoses.

It follows a rise in the number of overdoses here.

There have been a number of overdoses in recent weeks linked with dangerous opioids called nitazenes, which are 30 times more potent than fentany.

A new programme called Circle Peer to Peer is being piloted in January that will show drug users how to treat overdoses by using naloxone.

This is a drug which reverses or reduces the effects of opioids. Those close to people who use drugs regularly can also avail of the HSE programme to help them should an overdose occur.

The programme - which will also focus on the dangers of drugs - will take place in 16 locations nationwide, including Tullamore, Mullingar, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Wexford, Dublin, Galway, Donegal and Sligo.

The new programme will be rolled out early next year.

As many as 128 people will be allocated five training sessions, who will then volunteer for up to six months as Peer to Peer Overdose Prevention Workers within their communities.

It's hoped the scheme will support people who use drugs to understand overdose risks, take steps to prevent overdose and manage effectively if they are around someone who is overdosing.

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