For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline: 1800 250 015. It will automatically direct you to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service in your state or territory. Click here for more information
Death from opioid overdose is preventable.
During an opioid overdose, the central nervous system slows down, and can stop a person from breathing. Naloxone is a short-acting drug that can temporarily reverse the effect of an opioid overdose, and give that person the ability to breathe again.
Naloxone is currently available nationally as a nasal spray or in a pre-filled syringe. In all states, Nyxoid® nasal spray and Prenoxad® pre-filled syringes are available over the counter from a pharmacy. With some basic training, it can be administered by anyone.
In New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia, the ‘Take Home Naloxone’ pilot offers Naloxone free of charge from community and hospital-based pharmacies, alcohol and drug treatment centres, needle and syringe programs, custodial release programs and GP clinics. Visit the Take Home Naloxone Pilot page for further details.
Take Home Naloxone is available for free to people who use drugs, their friends and families through the services listed below.
If you do not see your service listed on this page, or find a contact out-of-date, please contact penny.hill@unsw.edu.au
This list is current as of August 2021.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids. ? Watch to learn the science behind opioid overdose reversal:https://t.co/PjJcjqovEw pic.twitter.com/t43q9qxnoq
— NIDAnews (@NIDAnews) April 16, 2021
The National Naloxone Reference Group (NNRG) has created an infographic to present up-to-date information on take home naloxone access across Australia. This resource will be updated each time the NNRG meets, roughly every two months.
Australian Capital Territory
Free take home naloxone training and a voucher system is now available from ACT primary needle syringe programs. Peer training provided by the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy (CAHMA): Ph (02) 6253 3643, info@cahma.org.au, Community Centre: 17/54 Benjamin Way, Belconnen 2617
New South Wales is part of the Commonwealth Government’s Take Home Naloxone Program
Through the program, NSW Health provides free access to naloxone: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/programs/Pages/naloxone.aspx
NGOs and community pharmacies that supply take home naloxone in NSW, listed on the YourRoom website. Most public health needle and syringe programs also supply take home naloxone- those lists sit halfway down this page: https://yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/getting-help/Pages/Naloxone.aspx#Where
Northern Territory
Peer training provided by NTAHC NSP; contact details:
Queensland
QuIHN – QuIHN is a statewide, not for profit, and non-government health service which provides a variety of health services to people who use drugs throughout Queensland
South Australia is part of the Commonwealth Government’s Take Home Naloxone Program
SA Health: Vouchers for no cost naloxone are available through a range of settings including hospital and community pharmacies, prisons, primary care settings, alcohol and other drug services and Clean Needle Program sites. Vouchers are provided with brief advice (PDF 285KB) on preventing and responding to the adverse effects of opioids.
Vouchers can be presented to a pharmacist in exchange for naloxone. See the list of registered community pharmacies in SA.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government is investing in a trial of free take-home naloxone to people who are at risk of an opioid overdose.
The free take-home naloxone will be available from the following Needle and Syringe Program services: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/411278/117_Naloxone.pdf
Victoria
Western Australia is part of the Commonwealth Government’s Take Home Naloxone Program
National Centre for Clinical
Research on Emerging Drugs
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this country
and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.