Bar-L prisoners given anti-overdose drugs
MEN leaving prison are being given a life-saving nasal inhaler that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Barlinnie Prison is offering the inhaler, and training on how to use it, before prisoners are released back in to the community, a time when people are more vulnerable to a fatal drug overdose.
The scheme has been developed in the wake of a successful peer mentoring programme, which has seen 11 prisoners trained to explain the benefits of naloxone to others.
Rhoda MacLeod, who heads up the programme from Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “This is a real game-changer and potential life-saver as we all work to reduce drug deaths across Scotland.
“Our teams meet with every person leaving prison and offer them this naloxone spray.
“If they have this to hand, and find someone with an overdose in their community, then it can be quickly and easily administered before an ambulance is called.
“Our hope is that lives will be saved as a result.”
Inhalers contain nyxoid, a nasal spray version of naloxone, which temporarily reverses the effects of opioid drugs such as methadone, heroin, morphine and fentanyl.
It buys time for the emergency services to treat someone who is having an overdose.
Work has already been underway in the prison to train inmates on how to recognise an overdose and what to do if someone they are with falls ill.
Drugs harm reduction teams have been working with prisoners to train them on how to administer naloxone – and supporting their peers to do the same.
Funding for the training has come from the Drug Deaths Taskforce, set up 2019 to tackle the rising number of drug deaths in Scotland.
The symptoms of an overdose include breathing problems, severe sleepiness and not responding to a loud noise or touch.
Professor Catriona Matheson, chairwoman of the Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce, recently visited the prison to see some of the work.
She said: “The engagement and commitment of all involved, from peer mentors to senior management, demonstrates how successful these interventions can be and I want to thank all involved for their drive to deliver positive results.
“During my visit to Barlinnie, I spoke to some of the peer mentors and it was clear that they believe this project will make a difference – other prisoners are more likely to engage with a peer and therefore not only have a supply of naloxone on their liberation, but know how to use it, potentially saving their own or someone else’s life.
“I was also impressed with the opportunities being built onto the initiative to encourage further development of training and qualification post release.
“The evidence tells us that release from prison is a time when people are more vulnerable to a fatal drug overdose so this project will save lives.”
A full evaluation of the project in Barlinnie is being developed and the peer support training is being rolled out to other prisons, including HMP Low Moss and HMP Greenock.