Naloxone: Introduction to the lifesaving Opioid Antagonist

As our Community Safety Wardens are now carryinG Naloxone on their routes around the North Inner city, one of the Safety Wardens, Tadhg McInerney, wrote a short article on the lifesaving medication!

What is it?

In response to the presence of opioids in the North Inner City, Safe wardens are trained to carry and administer Naloxone, an opioid antagonist that counteracts the effects of an overdose. Naloxone can be administered Intramuscularly with a needle or Intranasally with a spray.

How does it work?

Naloxone works by temporarily reversing the effects of the opioid, attaching itself to the receptors in the brain and preventing them from absorbing more of the drug in the user's body. Naloxone is not an overall ‘cure’ for an overdose, and must be followed up with professional care, as the patient could potentially relapse shortly after its administration.

Where is training available?

The training for handling Naloxone is provided through the HSE, who have recently introduced their new Naloxone program to train citizens to recognise overdoses and demystify their treatment.

How can Safety Wardens help?

While the usage of Opioids such as heroin and benzodiazepines continues to decrease in our cities, Safety Wardens are ready to step in and assist in the event of an overdose. We source our Naloxone products locally, regularly brush up on the fundamentals of the training and keep up to date with the protocols involved.