Non-government organisations (NGOs) and private services in NSW, have joined the NSW Take Home Naloxone program. Participating community-based NGOs and private services are now able to provide free overdose-reversing naloxone to anyone at risk of an opioid overdose, or anyone who may witness an overdose.
When an opioid overdose happens, a person's breathing slows down or stops. Naloxone works by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain, blocking the opioids and temporarily reversing the effects of the overdose. This enables the person to breathe normally while waiting for an Ambulance to arrive.
The take home naloxone program is also being operated through NSW public health drug and alcohol services,
Needle and Syringe Program sites and participating pharmacies.
The NSW Take Home Naloxone program is currently part of the
Australian Government's naloxone access pilot.
New regional and metro access points
For people who may experience barriers to accessing take home naloxone, due to their location or for fear of discrimination and stigma, being able to access free naloxone and training with a private service or NGO in their community is an important option.
Organisations that have recently joined the NSW Take Home Naloxone program include: ACON (Sydney, Hunter and Lismore); Health on the Streets; Jarrah House; Nimbin Neighbourhood & Information Centre; NUAA; The Royal Flying Doctor Service; and the Salvation Army (William Booth House and Pathways Maroubra, Penrith and Shoalhaven).
The addition of these NGOs and private services represent a significant improvement to naloxone access for people in regional areas like the Hunter, North Coast, Central West & Orana, Illawarra-Shoalhaven and Far West regions of NSW.
Community organisations are invited to join
NSW Health is inviting expressions of interest from NGOs and private services to join the NSW Take Home Naloxone program.
A new legal authority allows trained workers at eligible private and NGO health and welfare services to supply free naloxone to people at risk of opioid overdose or witnessing an overdose. Participating organisations receive the naloxone medicines at no cost and workforce training.
Eligible organisations are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in the program. For further information for organisation visit the NSW Health
NGO Take Home Naloxone page.
For general information about the take home naloxone program visit
yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/naloxone.
For free and confidential advice 24/7 call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015. Counsellors are available to provide information, referrals, crisis counselling and support. Or start a
Web Chat with an ADIS counsellor online Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5pm. ADIS can also provide up-to-date information about service availability in your area during the COVID-19 pandemic.
