The government has announced plans to enhance the availability of a life-saving medication for drug overdoses in homeless shelters and to the general public.
Officials will seek feedback on the distribution of naloxone to shelters, day centers, and facilities catering to individuals facing rough sleeping or homelessness. Naloxone, a prescription-only drug, can temporarily reverse opioid overdoses, providing individuals with a window to seek urgent medical care.
Additionally, authorities will explore the option of supplying naloxone to emergency personnel at organizations such as Border Force and the National Crime Agency. They will also investigate innovative methods of access, including the installation of readily available emergency boxes – akin to defibrillator cabinets – on main streets and close to entertainment venues.
Health minister Karin Smyth emphasized the significance of naloxone, stating, “Each drug-related fatality is avoidable. Naloxone is a secure and efficient medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, providing individuals with the opportunity to seek treatment and reconstruct their lives.”
Smyth added, “We aim to eliminate the obstacles preventing naloxone from reaching those in critical need when their lives are at stake. This consultation is intended to amend regulations to ensure that individuals in contact with opioids through their professions – or members of the public encountering emergencies – can potentially save a life.”
In a recent development, the government broadened the scope of professionals authorized to dispense take-home naloxone to include police officers, paramedics, and probation workers. This expansion, in collaboration with homeless charities, aims to save more lives and is part of the government’s £3.4 billion allocation for drug and alcohol treatment services.
According to the DHSC, drug-related deaths have doubled since 2012, with a record 5,448 fatalities reported in England and Wales last year. Deaths involving nitazenes, a synthetic opioid, surged significantly from 25 cases in 2023 to 180 in 2024.
Sean Palmer, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation at St Mungo’s, voiced support for the broader availability of naloxone, stating, “St Mungo’s has long advocated for increased access to life-saving Naloxone; we welcome this announcement for its wider availability to aid individuals experiencing homelessness and opioid use. Naloxone saves lives, offering individuals the chance to recover and transition out of homelessness permanently.”
Palmer further elaborated, “Amid the rising use of opioids and associated risks, naloxone is extensively utilized across our services; our outreach teams are equipped with it, and our staff is trained to respond to opioid overdoses, often saving lives.”
He emphasized, “We recognize that substance abuse can become a coping mechanism for individuals feeling they have exhausted all alternatives, especially for those with complex physical and mental trauma, which is often both a cause and consequence of homelessness.”