NESCol joins forces with ADA in life-saving partnership

September 19, 2024

North East Scotland College (NESCol) has partnered with Alcohol and Drugs Action (ADA) to become a corporate distributor of the life-saving antidote naloxone.

The agreement builds on the strong working relationship between the two organisations and will ensure students, staff and stakeholders have access to the medication across all NESCol campuses.

Naloxone is the emergency treatment for overdoses caused by heroin and other opiates or opioids. These include methadone, morphine and fentanyl.

The main life-threatening effect of heroin and other opiates is to slow down and stop breathing. Naloxone blocks this effect and reverses the breathing difficulties, buying time until paramedics can attend.

Drug services and community partners can supply the antidote without a prescription and anyone can use it to save a life in an emergency, with a network of corporate distributors across the NHS Grampian region helping to ensure that provision is made discretely and free or charge for those who feel they are at risk of having or witnessing an overdose.

The College also hosted ADA representatives as part of awareness raising activity on International Overdose Awareness Day on 31 August, which included sharing information on the use of the medication.

Lianne Marriott, Student Support Manager at NESCol, said: “Raising awareness and understanding of the issues associated with drug use, and the life-saving steps that can be taken in the event of an overdose, is vitally important.

“Dependency and substance use is something that impacts every city and town in the country and that includes members of our College community, whether directly or indirectly through their support for friends and family members.

“By ensuring students and staff are well-informed and have access to naloxone through our corporate distributor status, it is another positive step forward as part of a wider programme of education and support by partners across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.”

Fraser Hoggan, CEO of Aberdeen Drugs Action, said:  “We are absolutely delighted to announce that NESCol is now a corporate naloxone distributors. We will continue to work together to highlight overdose awareness, including the availability and distribution of naloxone.

“Naloxone is a life-saving medication easily administered during an overdose situation whilst medical attention is sought.  We will also, with the support of NESCol highlight the new Aberdeen Protects app, which provides essential support to anyone wishing to access, use and promote naloxone and overdose awareness.”

Access to naloxone will be managed by the specialist NESCol Student Advice and Support Team at the Aberdeen Altens, Aberdeen City and Fraserburgh campuses. For further information on the use of naloxone visit https://www.nhsgrampian.org/naloxone/.