Via has launched an important new initiative to widen the availability of naloxone and save more lives – Naloxone Direct to Door.
Naloxone is a medication that quickly and safely reverses the effects of an overdose from opioids – like heroin, morphine and methadone – as well as synthetic opioids.
This innovative service means that people over the age of 18 in areas where Via provides services can now order free naloxone kits online. The kits arrive in plain, discreet packaging, direct to their chosen address.
Naloxone Direct to Door is part of Via’s wider commitment to reducing drug-related deaths – an urgent issue particularly given the emergence of synthetic opioids.
It’s also an important milestone in light of the newly released figures from the Office of National Statistics, showing that 5,565 people lost their lives to drug poisoning in England and Wales in 2024. Heroin and other opioids were involved in 2,621 of these deaths, a 2.7% increase compared with the previous year.
Emma Griss, director of pharmacy at Via said: ‘The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics highlight the continued and devastating impact of drug-related deaths across communities, and the urgent need for compassionate, evidence-based support for people affected by drug use. Each number represents a person, a family, and a community affected by loss. This is a much-needed step towards making naloxone even more accessible. We are working hard to ensure it reaches those people who don’t typically come into drug and alcohol support services so we can help save more lives.’
The areas where Via’s Naloxone Direct to Door is currently available for local residents are:
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Gloucestershire
- London: Brent, Greenwich, Harrow, Kingston, Merton, Redbridge
- West Berkshire
For more information about naloxone and the Naloxone Direct to Door service, visit: www.viaorg.uk/information/naloxone/
DDN magazine is a free publication self-funded through advertising.
We are proud to work in partnership with many of the leading charities and treatment providers in the sector.
This content was created by VIA