2024-08-13
The Greens are calling on the Labor State Government to immediately fix the loophole that creates barriers for frontline workers administering the overdose-reversal medication naloxone.
In Victoria frontline workers such as community health workers must call triple zero before administering naloxone otherwise they face a legal risk, but when an overdose occurs every second counts.
The Victorian Greens and health experts have been warning about the threat of synthetic opioids that are extremely potent. As these drugs become more and more common, lifesaving medication like naloxone needs to be as accessible as possible, as well as other important drug-harm reduction measures like additional safe injecting rooms.
The Victorian Greens spokesperson for drug harm reduction, Aiv Puglielli said that when an overdose occurs, every second counts and we need to enable frontline workers to respond quickly.
Quotes attributable to the Victorian Greens spokesperson for drug harm reduction, Aiv Puglielli:
“We’re staring down the barrel of a synthetic opioid crisis. It’s never been more important that we take every measure to protect the community.
“Synthetic opioids can be up to 100 times stronger than heroin. We’re hearing reports from across the country that some overdoses need five doses of naloxone to bring someone back.
“Frontline workers need to be empowered to act quickly when someone is overdosing without fear of litigation. Every second counts.
“Labor needs to fix this life or death loophole that puts frontline workers into impossible situations.
“We need to be taking every measure to keep the community safe, this includes ensuring naloxone is accessible and can be administered quickly, and the establishment of more safe injecting rooms.”