THE Drug Trends program at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney, has released findings from its annual national surveys of people who use drugs, with encouraging trends around awareness and uptake of opioid antagonist naloxone.

The medication is freely available without a prescription from pharmacies and can quickly and safely reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, whether pharmaceutical or illicit.

It was found that 73% of people who used drugs like ecstasy and 86% of people who inject drugs said that they had heard of naloxone, an increase from 63% and 80% in 2024, respectively.

In terms of uptake, 19% of people who use drugs like ecstasy and 55% of people who inject drugs reported obtaining naloxone in the past year, and one-third (32%) of those who inject drugs reported that they had resuscitated someone using naloxone at least once in their lifetime, up from 27% in 2024.

“Opioid overdoses can be prevented, and take-home naloxone is a proven way to save lives,” said Associate Professor Amy Peacock, Drug Trends Program Lead and NDARC Deputy Director.

“In Australia, we are seeing more cases where drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine are being mixed with very strong opioids, or where products are made to look like legitimate medicines but unexpectedly contain an opioid.

“This means that people with little or no tolerance to opioids are being unintentionally and unknowingly exposed and are at higher risk of overdose.

“Because of the risk of unintentionally consuming opioids or using stronger-than-expected doses, having naloxone on hand is a practical way to reduce harm.” KB

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