London needs naloxone to prevent unnecessary drug deaths

The Government should improve access to a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdose, along with raising awareness of its use and benefits.

An investigation by the London Assembly Health Committee found good evidence that naloxone, a drug that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, saves lives. However, at present, it is not as readily available as it should be.

Published today, the report Reducing Drug Deaths in London urges the Government to introduce a national naloxone programme in England, bringing it in line with Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

It also calls on the Mayor to work with the Metropolitan Police Service so that officers routinely carry nasal naloxone spray, as the police are regularly in contact with people who use drugs and are at risk of an overdose.

The report makes a series of recommendations aimed at reducing the number of people who die from drug-related causes in London, with a particular focus on drug checking services, naloxone, and drug consumption rooms.

Drug checking services

• Drug checking services should be provided in London, including at clubs and music events. The Mayor should use his Drugs Commission to work with key partners to understand how to implement drug checking services in London and should then introduce them.

Naloxone

• The Mayor should work with the Metropolitan Police Service so that officers routinely carry nasal naloxone spray.
• The Government should introduce a national naloxone programme in England to end the postcode lottery of provision, and to bring England in line with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Drug consumption rooms

• The Mayor’s Drugs Commission should work with partners including the Home Office to ensure London leads the way in reducing drug harm by piloting drug consumption rooms.

Chair of the Health Committee, Caroline Russell AM, said:



“Too many people are still dying from drug-related causes in London. We investigated how to address this tragedy and find out what practical, life-saving interventions could be used to reduce drug harm in our city.

“Our investigation found that naloxone could save someone’s life if it's used quickly after an opioid overdose. That is why we are urging the Mayor to ensure the Met routinely carry naloxone, a simple and proven way to reduce opioid deaths.



“Additional measures recommended in our report, such as a pilot for safe drug consumption rooms and the introduction of drug checking services, can start to bring down the growing numbers of people sadly losing their lives due to problematic drug use.”