Overdose prevention kit delivery service launched by local recovery partnership

Naloxone is a first aid medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. In England, anyone can carry a naloxone kit and use it in an emergency to save a life. It is available from drug and alcohol services, and some pharmacies.

North East Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership’s Click & Deliver programme will see naloxone kits being delivered to people at a location of their choice, making it more accessible. After filling out a short online form and completing an optional short training session, individuals receive a free naloxone kit sent through the post in discreet packaging.

The convenience of Click & Deliver can be a support for people who live in rural areas where there is not a service nearby and for those with mobility issues. For some, particularly family members of people at risk of overdose, having the life-saving medication delivered can also reduce the fear of being stigmatised.

North East Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership is a collaboration between Turning Point, Double Impact and Framework.

The service has hubs in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, and a range of satellite sites and co-located delivery that offer localised services to support people who want to make changes to their drug and alcohol use.

Whilst there are postal naloxone services in both Scotland and Wales, Turning Point launched the first service in England with a pilot scheme at its Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service (SDAS), in August 2023. It is now being rolled-out in all Turning Point services, including the neighbouring Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership.

The scheme has proved to be highly-successful with over 700 naloxone kits sent out by services across Turning Point locations to date.

Tina Holt, Harm Reduction Lead at North East Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership, has had first-hand experience of administering naloxone.

“Naloxone buys time for an ambulance to arrive. I have used naloxone a few times and without it, the person may have passed away. Naloxone saves lives, be a life safer and carry naloxone,” said Tina.

Elli-Jay McNally, Turning Point National Harm Reduction Lead, said:

“With the increasing risk from potent synthetic opioids, it’s never been more important to make it as easy as possible for people to access naloxone. By removing the barriers experienced by some, Click & Deliver helps us raise awareness and make sure we’re getting naloxone into the hands of the people who need it.”

Leah Briggs Senior Operations Manager at North East Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership, said:

“Naloxone saves lives, it’s as simple as that. The introduction of the Click & Deliver service ensures that people can access this vital medication anywhere in North East Lincolnshire, no matter where they live or what their individual circumstances are. You should think of naloxone in the same way you do a defibrillator - if you have naloxone on you, you can potentially save someone's life.”