THE Victorian government is expanding access to the life-saving medication, naloxone.

Victoria’s Take-Home Naloxone Program will be expanded to all Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) sites ensuring more Victorians who are at risk of, or who may be likely to witness, an opioid overdose including carers, families or friends can access this medication.

Naloxone has been available through the NSP program at both Wangaratta and Wodonga Gateway Health sites since November 2023.

This service is confidential and available to any member of the community.

This service has the potential to have saved up to 265 lives, with 265 doses of naloxone supplied to members of the community in the previous 12 months, in Wangaratta alone.

Gateway Health alcohol and other drugs program manager, Caddie Russell, said it is important for the community to be aware about how to administer and have access to the life-saving medication, especially for those at risk or more likely to witness an opioid overdose.

"Each person that has accessed Gateway Health for naloxone, is provided education on how to administer naloxone, as it comes in many forms such as a nasal spray and in injectable form," she said.

"It’s important people are aware of recognising signs of overdose and how to administer naloxone.

"Gateway Health provides education in person and provides people with written information or YouTube addresses with naloxone information, tailored to the person.

"Naloxone is a preventative measure, aimed at reducing overdose, therefore can be accessed by family, friends and supporters."

Since it began in December 2023, the program has provided more than 12,000 units of naloxone to Victorians – with the expansion increasing access in areas experiencing high drug harms.

According to the latest statistics, nearly 400 Victorians die from opioid overdoses each year.

Under the Take-Home Naloxone Program, naloxone is currently available at 50 Victorian NSP providers, the medically supervised injecting room, over the counter at pharmacies or via prescription from a medical or nurse practitioner.

In addition to the Take-Home Naloxone Program, the Victorian government’s $95.1 million Statewide Action Plan to reduce drug harm is delivering pill testing, expanded access to pharmacotherapy and a trial of 20 naloxone vending machines to ensure life-saving medication is easy to access in an emergency.

More information on Victoria’s Take-Home Naloxone Program can be found at health.vic.gov.au/victorias-take-home-naloxone-program.