The program, being piloted by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, comes in the wake of increased access to the heroin antidote naloxone, also known as Narcan.

The medication has been used by paramedics for decades to revive drug addicts, and was previously only available for purchase with a doctor’s prescription.

However since February 1, naloxone has been available over-the-counter at pharmacies in an effort to reduce death and injury from opiate overdose.

ISLHD drug and alcohol service director David Reid said while the region’s program focused on educating drug users; better access to the medication could also give the family and friends of addicts peace of mind.

‘’Naloxone acts to block the opiate receptor on the brain, to essentially reverse the effect of the overdose,’’ he said.

‘’While our program focuses on educating our clients on how to administer naloxone, it’s foreseeable that families in difficult circumstances may decide to go to a pharmacy and get it themselves.

‘’Imagine if you had a situation at home where you walked in on a child that had overdosed, having naloxone on hand could be a first line of measure that could be used.

‘’We’d still recommend calling an ambulance, but in an overdose situation, time is critical.’’

In 2015, NSW Ambulance paramedics administered naloxone in the treatment of 132 patients across the Illawarra; compared to 144 the previous year.

Mr Reid said there had been a push for some time for naloxone to be more widely accessible, leading to it being rescheduled this year by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

It wasn’t about encouraging drug use, but an attempt to save lives.

‘’Naloxone is a drug that you can't use and abuse; it's a drug that saves lives,’’ he said.

‘’This program is part of our harm minimisation policy – we’re not saying we support drug use but we’re trying to minimise the harm that it causes.’’

Naloxone is currently available in a package with a vial and syringe, although other versions may be underway.

Meantime, Mr Reid said alcohol harm remained the biggest problem in the region, followed by cannabis, methamphetamine and then heroin.

‘’It’s not the major issue we deal with – there’s been minimal change in the numbers of people using heroin over the last five years,’’ he said.

‘’Alcohol is still our largest problem, and we’re seeing increasing numbers of methamphetamine users because of availability.

‘’However history tells us that there’s constant shifts and changes in demand for drugs – one might go down due to supply, another might go up.

‘’We need to be ready to deal with these changes.’’

Naloxone change welcome: pharmacist

An Illawarra pharmacist has welcomed changes which enable easier access to take-home naloxone kits. 

Illawarra Pharmacist Association president Katerina Novarina said pharmacists could now dispense the overdose-reversal drug without a doctor’s prescription – and offer advice on its use in life-threatening situations.

‘’I think having it more easily available will help decrease the number of people dying from heroin overdoses,’’ said Ms Novarina, of Navin’s Pharmacy in Thirroul.

‘’Pharmacists will make sure that if people purchase it, they know how to use it, and in what situation.’’

In February, Australia became just the second country in the world to allow naloxone to be sold over the counter. It comes at a cost of around $22.

Ms Novarina said there had not been a massive demand for the drug in the northern surburbs since then, but demand varied in different suburbs.

‘’Hopefully this move will lessen the burden on paramedics, and accident and emergency departments.’’

Warning after spate of deaths

The need for action is evident after a recent spate of heroin deaths. 

State Coroner Michael Barnes issued a warning about a deadly batch of heroin believed to be responsible for 13 deaths across Sydney between May 2 and June 3 this year.

‘’In every case, the deceased was found slumped on the floor with a syringe in their hands or needles and drugs paraphernalia strewn next to their body indicating a death shortly after the dangerous substance was injected,’’ he said.

‘’A spike in heroin overdoses over a short period suggests an unusually strong or corrupted supply being sold in Sydney.

‘’Street-level heroin is rarely pure and can sometimes be cut with drugs or compounds that can kill you in one dose.   

‘’… Heroin has always been dangerous and these recent deaths highlight it’s a gamble not worth taking.​’’