Take-home naloxone in Australia and beyond

Accumulating evidence from across the globe shows that the provision of takehome naloxone (THN) for those (peers, friends, family and service providers) who are in contact with people at risk of opioid overdose is an effective harm reduction intervention. Evaluation studies worldwide have recorded tens of thousands of overdose reversals by lay people administering naloxone 1, 2 and observational studies show declines in overdose mortality subsequent to the introduction of THN 3-6. Politically, however, THN advocacy and policy suffers from many of the same difficulties as other harm reduction initiatives for people who inject drugs: lack of general public awareness or support; concerns about the target population's capacity and disposition; and limited policymaker resolve and funding. With rising opioidrelated deaths recorded across the world, resulting from both heroin and prescription opioids, the perceived need for THN programs is gaining momentum.