We share a real-life experience of one our Naloxone Peer Educators, who recently saved a life from overdose and offers tips on how we can all help save lives in our local community.
Statistics around the rate of overdose in Central and West London
Firstly, we wanted to share some facts about overdose and drug related deaths. Almost 5000 deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in 2021 in England and Wales and the rate of overdose related deaths is increasing year on year. In 2021 the rate of deaths was 5% higher than the previous year.
In the three London Boroughs we work in, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster, there were 66 registered deaths relating to drug poisoning in 2020/21. Of the registered drug poisoning deaths in 2021, approximately half involved an opiate, like heroin or methadone.
What is Naloxone and how does it play a role in overdoses?
Naloxone is a life-saving medication, that can reverse an overdose from opioids—including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. A Naloxone kit, otherwise known as Prenoxad, comes as a pre-filled syringe that you inject into a person’s leg, through their clothes if you need to. One or more doses reverses the role of the opiates and will bring the person back round.
Who’s The Naloxone Man and what’s his role in reducing deaths by overdose?
George AKA The Naloxone Man has been raising awareness of Naloxone across the country for the last four years. He is on a mission to get more people access to Naloxone by inspiring people who use or have used drugs to educate others about naloxone and give out Naloxone kits in the community.
George says, “Everyone needs to know about Naloxone! You can’t recover if you’re dead.”
He explains, “The project is not just about saving lives, its about the peers saving their own lives, by giving them meaning and purpose to spread the word about naloxone. The peers are in the perfect position to do this, they can speak the same language, they keep it real and they keep their feet firmly set on the ground.”
We heard from George’s right-hand man known as Mighty Mick who shared his experience of being a peer-to-peer naloxone educator, “I was quite shy and hidden and had really low self-esteem. Slowly after speaking to people and getting out there, it built my confidence and helped me branch out to more people. Now, I’m the main peer leading on numerous groups across the UK. Naloxone needs to be everywhere; it shouldn’t just be for people who use drugs. That’s now part of my role, I’ll talk to anyone about naloxone. The main purpose of Naloxone is it saves lives, but these conversations also show people that there are opportunities to recover, and it encourages people to use safer, for example if they inject, we encourage them to inject in different places to not cause abbesses.”
Mighty Mick says, “We always find amazing champions and shining stars who support in the local area, like Kaz, our brand-new peer to peer support worker who has already saved a life with Naloxone in Westminster.”
Kaz’s story of saving a life in Westminster
Kaz started her peer Naloxone training with George, Mighty Mick and the Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Service (DAWS) 4 weeks ago. Kaz shared her story with us, “I’ve been on heroin since 17 years old, and I'm now 47. I’d never heard of this injection Naloxone in my life. The first I heard of it was 4 weeks ago at the peer educator course!”
She then shares her experience on the first week of her course, “The first days of my course were Monday and Tuesday, and then on the Friday of that week, I was with someone who had the tiniest crumb and then had his head on my arm for 3 minutes. I thought something was wrong here and then he went over. I did the chest pumps and first aid, pulled his tongue from back of his throat, put him in recovery position, and luckily, I had the injection (Naloxone) with me, so I whacked it in his arm. I had to do 3 times (doses) and then he came round. If I had not started this course, he wouldn’t be around now! What I’ve learnt here has saved a life!”
Kaz shares her thoughts after reflecting on what happened, “I’m so proud of myself. I love every minute of this course. I want to share my background and story and help everybody. I’m now very very passionate about Naloxone and now all I want to do is tell people about it. I want to be a drug and alcohol worker and help other people.”
If you or someone else might be interested in being a peer Naloxone educator, we welcome everyone to get on board. Get in contact with us today via phone or email to find out more.
All contact details are on the Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Service (DAWS) page.
What can I do to help save lives in my community?
- Register for our webinar to learn more.
- Go to your nearest drug and alcohol treatment centre and ask to be given Naloxone.
- Complete the Naloxone training on this website to understand how to use it.
- When you get naloxone, ensure you carry it on your person everywhere you go.