Drugs overdose awareness day next week
Local agencies across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are promoting National Overdose Awareness Day on Thursday December 13th 2012. This year the focus is not only on overdose of illicit drugs, but also to raise awareness of the dangers of overdose through mixing different drugs, including alcohol, prescription medication, over the counter medication and also some of the new and emerging substances. As previously, the promotion of the ‘Take Home Naloxone Scheme’ will feature across Wales, and friends, family and concerned others are encouraged to take up the opportunity of free basic overdose awareness training. Naloxone when administered acts to temporarily reverse the effects of an overdose for between 15 minutes and an hour, thus allowing time to call emergency services. This work forms part of the Welsh Government’s Working Together to Reduce Harm substance misuse strategy for Wales 2008 – 2018. Stuart Moncur, Assistant Director of Planning and Chair of the Substance...