naLoxone no-brainer
I’ve just been reading the article
talking with Philippe Bonnet about
naloxone (
DDN
, June, page 6) and
agree with what he says. Naloxone is
relatively easy to deploy – the key issue
in most places is the political will to do
so. The administration of it is simple,
the economics are a ‘no-brainer’ and
the paperwork/training is so simple to
implement, given that there is so much
already been done in other areas
around providing naloxone.
I recently worked as commissioner
in Barnsley and left the area last
December, where they were
committed to providing every client
with two kits, one for home and one
to carry with them – the economics
are that good. I convinced the DPH
and DAAT board that this was a
necessary piece of work to undertake.
Currently I’m working in Hereford-
shire, retendering the substance
misuse services for the county. In that
there is a clear expectation that the
new provider will offer naloxone
across the service to those who might
need/would benefit from the provision
of kits. Again I would be advocating a
double kit allocation per person. At the
moment people are provided naloxone
on script but I’ve sanctioned training
for staff around this. As Philippe
mentions, the cost of a lost life
outweighs any cost for naloxone and
associated expense. I know that
Herefordshire will take this forward to
reduce the risk of overdose and death.
Clive Hallam, public health
commissioning manager (interim),
Hereford
Prison testing
The article in your April edition (page
14) on drugs in prison was excellent.
Nothing could be more logical and
effective than Neil McKeganey’s
proposals for mounting a massive
programme of regular and exhaustive
drug testing of all prisoners –
providing the usage to which that
valuable test data is put is also itself
sane and effective.
Failure to stop drug smuggling and
lack of encouragement for widespread
testing may well be the prison system’s
natural compensation for the failure of
prison psychiatrists and pharmaceutical
advisors to cure addiction.
It therefore follows that an
identified drug user should
immediately be transferred to a
‘withdrawal wing’ where they can be
handled with a 49-year established
and proven ‘drug-free’ withdrawal
procedure, as a precursor to a fuller
sauna and vitamin detoxification
course leading to stable recovery.
These procedures have been
followed in prisons around the world
since 1966, some of which today have
their own addiction recovery training
courses – run by the prisoners
themselves. Readers wanting proof of
the above should phone (0044) or (0)
1342 810151 to request a free copy of
a DVD shot inside prisons as far apart
as the USA and China.
Ken Eckersley, CEO Addiction
Recovery Training Services (ARTS)
Picture perfect:
The photo of
Philippe Bonnet on page 12 of
last month’s issue should have
been credited to Nigel Brunsdon.
July/August 2015 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 9
Get involved:
ANDREW BROWN
@andrewbrown365
8 Jun 2015
Some great tips for getting wider distribution of #naloxone in the
community in @DDNMagazine drinkanddrugsnews.com/naloxone-
distribution/via @drugactivist
OLIVER STANDING
@OliverStanding
9 Jun 2015
"In some needle & syringe programmes, particularly in the north, steroid
users represent biggest client group." Fascinating in @DDNMagazine
IDHDP
@idhdp
10 Jun 2015
UK DDN June 2015 packed with interesting articles @DDNMagazine
drinkanddrugsnews.com/ddn-june-2015/
FAST FORWARD
@fastforwardorg
15 Jun 2015
Fascinating #naloxone news from Birmingham in this month's
@DDNMagazine on changing emergency services’ attitudes.
DR STEPHANIE KEWLEY
@S_Kewley
24 Jun 2015
I love the angle of this story! Berts role supporting recovery is
wonderful @DDNMagazine Treatment at Chandos House
drinkanddrugsnews.com/treatment-at-chandos-house/
DDN welcomes your letters
Please email the editor,
, or post them to
DDN, cJ wellings ltd, 57 High street, Ashford, Kent tN24 8sG.
letters may be edited for space or clarity.
‘...the cost
of a lost life
outweighs
any cost for
naloxone and
associated
expense.
I know that
Herefordshire
will take this
forward to
reduce the risk
of overdose
and death.’
/DDNMagazine @DDNMagazine
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James Dickinson holds a framed picture of
A dog’s life
(
DDN
,
June, p18), the story of Bert – the unofficial head of treatment at
Chandos House. It now has pride of place in their entrance hall.
