Naloxone is saving lives

Supplies of free naloxone at Anglicare’s Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) are helping people to stay safe.

Naloxone is a simple medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. It gives the gift of time for emergency assistance to arrive.

Having naloxone at hand is more important than ever, now that strong synthetic opioids such as nitazenes are likely available across Tasmania.

Any substance can sometimes contain unexpected ingredients, making overdose a risk for anyone who uses illicit drugs.

Overdose is also a real possibility for people who take opioid-based prescription medication for pain relief. Prescription medicines in the opioid family include morphine, codeine, tramadol, buprenorphine, methadone and fentanyl. Anyone who uses these medicines is encouraged to talk to their doctor or pharmacist about the benefits of naloxone.

NSP staff are friendly professionals who can show people how to recognise the signs of an overdose and how to use naloxone. They recommend that friends, family members and peers all learn how to use it.

Anglicare’s NSP outlets distributed 189 naloxone kits between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

Naloxone has been available in a nasal spray form for several years. Since July 2025, Anglicare’s NSP outlets have also provided it in the form of an injectable known as Prenoxad. It’s administered intramuscularly and contains five doses, offering broader protection in overdose situations.

Would you know what to do if someone overdosed?

The following information comes from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website:

Signs of a depressant or opioid overdose include:

• slow breathing, abnormal breathing or not breathing at all
• slow or no heartbeat and pulse
• cool, pale or clammy (wet and sweaty) skin
• vomiting
• choking or gurgling sounds
• small pupils.

If someone is not responding or not breathing, take the following steps straight away:

• use Naloxone, if you have access to it.
• call triple zero (000) and request an ambulance. Ambulances are there to help and can provide more instructions.
• check if anyone nearby knows CPR, in case they’re not breathing or they stop breathing
• lay them on their side in the recovery position
• stay with them until the ambulance arrives
• tell the ambulance officers anything you know, like what drug/s they’ve had and how much.

More information and further reading

The Tasmanian Government’s Needle and Syringe Program

Visit this page to find out all about Anglicare’s Needle and Syringe Program. We have outlets at our offices in Glenorchy (458 Main Road), Burnie (51 Wilmot Street) and Launceston (118 Elizabeth Street).

Anglicare offers a range of supports for people who use alcohol and other drugs, and their family members. Visit this webpage to find a program that suits your circumstances.