Access increases to free medication to reverse opioid overdoses

More people across Victoria will be able to get access to free naloxone under an expansion of the state’s overdose prevention program.

This week, acting Mental Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced the Take-Home Naloxone Program would be extended to all Needle and Syringe Program sites, allowing carers, family members and others likely to witness an opioid overdose to access the life-saving medication.

Naloxone is already available at 50 NSP providers, the Medically Supervised Injecting Room, pharmacies and through prescriptions. More than 12,000 units have been distributed since the program launched in December 2023.

Nearly 400 Victorians die from opioid overdoses each year, and the expansion will focus on areas with high drug harms.

The program also supports peer distribution, allowing people to collect naloxone on behalf of someone else.

“Every overdose is a tragedy – by making the life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug Naloxone more accessible, it will help save lives and avoid unnecessary heartbreak,” Ms Thomas said.

“When it comes to addressing drug harms, we take a harm minimisation approach – and our Statewide Action Plan will change and save lives.”

The expansion is part of the government’s $95.1 million Statewide Action Plan, which also includes pharmacotherapy access, pill testing, and a trial of 20 naloxone vending machines.