A Presentation And Training On Naloxone

A warm welcome was given to Swanswell this evening as they conducted a presentation and training to the team on naloxone.

Naloxone is a medication used to block the effects of opioids, especially in opioid overdose. Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors to produce morphine like effects. Medically they are primarily used for pain relief, including anesthesia. When administered, naloxone temporarily and rapidly reverses the effect of morphine and other opioids. Therefore, it may be used as an antagonist drug to reverse opioid overdose. Examples of opioids are morphine, heroin, tramadol, oxycodone, and methadone.

The Soup Kitchen team learned to differentiate between someone who maybe ‘high’ or is indeed overdosing, how to deal with that person, how to administer naloxone and post injection care. Because opioids effect on the part of the brain that regulates breathing, it can during overdoses lead to the person not breathing and therefore result in death. Death can be prevented in opioid overdoses if patients receive basic life support and the administration of naloxone soon after opioid overdose is suspected. Naloxone is effective at reversing the cause, rather than just the symptoms, of an opioid overdose. Initial treatment involves supporting the person’s breathing and providing oxygen. Naloxone is then recommended among those who are not breathing.

Meryl Praill commented “The team came together this evening to have training on how to administer naloxone in the unlikely event that one of our clients has an overdose of heroin or other opioids. The procedure is by way of an injection to reverse the effects of opioids on the brain. This can save someone’s life and allows time for the paramedics to arrive if someone has lost consciousness. We have an amazing enthusiastic, caring team. I am so proud of what we are achieving.”

Third party reading:

  • Swanswell is a national alcohol and drug charity that helps people change and be happy.
  • Prenoxad Injection. Use of Naloxone in Opioid Overdose