Longton Exchange and Stoke-on-Trent Community Drug and Alcohol Service (CDAS) will host a joint community event on 28 August, training members of the public on how to recognise the signs of an overdose and how to use the overdose reversal drug naloxone.
Following a recent incident where shopping centre security staff helped save the life of a man who overdosed on-site, the whole team has completed naloxone training - delivered by CDAS - ensuring they are prepared to recognise the signs of an overdose and intervene immediately.
To extend this safety net to the wider public, the event will offer free training and information to shoppers between 11am and 3pm, at Unit 36 (Pop Up Shop).
Roz Ryan, Tenant, Community Engagement & Marketing Manager, said it was that incident which made the whole team realise they needed the knowledge and confidence so they’d be prepared if such a tragedy happened again.
“It was a difficult situation to witness, and one of the things that really stayed with us was seeing how unsure people were about what to do.
“When you're already dealing with an emergency and an emotionally charged situation, a lack of public understanding can make an already difficult situation even more challenging to deal with. I think that's why having these open conversations and making training available is so important. The more people understand about overdose, naloxone and how they can help, the more we can start to remove some of the prejudice, stigma and misinformation that surrounds it.”
Naloxone is an easy-to-use medicine which reverses opioid overdoses. Delivered by either a nasal spray or an injection, it temporarily reverses an overdose - providing vital time for an ambulance to arrive. The drug works on traditional opioids like heroin, morphine and codeine, as well as new synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and nitazenes. It’s legal to carry and safe to use.
For anyone who can’t attend the event, an online session is also available, where participants can be trained in using naloxone and receive the medicine afterwards. Sign up at cdas.eventbrite.com.
Clare Lovatt, Harm Reduction Lead at CDAS, said:
“Overdose is a tragedy that damages many lives, but it can be prevented. By training the public to use naloxone, we are giving our community the tools and confidence to intervene and save a life. There are many reasons why someone may struggle with drugs, including trauma, mental health issues, and poverty. This event is about stripping away fear and stigma, and ensuring that anyone - whether they use drugs, are a family member or friend, or just a concerned bystander - knows they have the power to help.”