Aiming to tackle high overdose rates in Blackburn with Darwen, Spark are educating others on the lifesaving benefits of Naloxone through their new peer-to-peer training sessions.
Headed up by Spark colleagues Andy Kennedy and Rachel Whittaker, the training is designed to educate and train people on the skills needed deal with an opioid overdose.
The sessions include how to effectively administer naloxone, how to identify the signs of an overdose and how to put someone in the recovery position.
Tom Woodcock, Director of Treatment and Recovery, explained: “Drug related deaths are unfortunately increasing across our communities and one of the main contributing factors is the prevalence of high strength synthetic opioids in street drugs.”
He continued: “Naloxone is a lifesaver and we want more people across our communities to feel confident about carrying it and using it in the event of an overdose”.
Several local treatment and recovery groups have already taken part in the ‘lifesaving’ training, including Phoenix Hub, Stepping Stone Projects and Shad Chefs.
Umar Shaban, a support worker from Stepping Stone Projects, said: “I just want to say a big thank you for the Naloxone training I had done couple of weeks ago. I have learned a lot from that training and can say it was excellent.”
Joining forces with Red Rose Recovery
Collaborating with local recovery charity Red Rose Recovery – a member of the Spark recovery collaborative – the training has been presented to a large audience at their monthly ‘Roots Community forum’ event in August.
Naloxone kits were also offered from a stall to those who wanted them, with five Roots Community members picking up kits for themselves.
The Roots Community connect people in recovery through local projects, activities and services that benefit the wider community – including the monthly forum event.
Naloxone is an emergency antidote that temporarily reverses the effects of overdoses caused by heroin and other opioids (such as nitazenes and fentanyl). When administered (via a nasal spray or intramuscular injection) it buys crucial time whilst waiting for emergency services to arrive.
If you would like to be able to keep naloxone on your person for emergency situations, you can ask for some at Spark’s Needle Exchange at St John’s Court. Please contact 01254 495014 for more information.