Lifesaving overdose training sessions are being hosted by Spark workers in Blackburn with Darwen.

Spark provides drug and alcohol support for people of all ages dealing with addiction across the borough.

Headed up by Andy Kennedy and Rachel Whittaker, the training is designed to educate and train people on the skills needed to deal with an opioid overdose.

The sessions include how to effectively administer naloxone, how to identify the signs of an overdose and how to put someone in the recovery position. 

Naloxone is an emergency antidote that temporarily reverses the effects of overdoses caused by heroin and other opioids (such as nitazenes and fentanyl). 

When administered, via a nasal spray or intramuscular injection, it buys crucial time whilst waiting for emergency services to arrive.

Director of Treatment and Recovery, Tom Woodcock said: “Drug-related deaths are unfortunately increasing across our communities and one of the main contributing factors is the prevalence of high-strength synthetic opioids in street drugs.”

“Naloxone is a lifesaver and we want more people across our communities to feel confident about carrying it and using it in the event of an overdose”.

Several treatment and recovery groups have already taken part in the ‘lifesaving’ training, including Phoenix Hub, Stepping Stone Projects and Shad Chefs. 

Umar Shaban is a support worker at the Stepping Stone Projects. 

He said: “I just want to say a big thank you for the Naloxone training I had done a couple of weeks ago. I have learned a lot from that training and can say it was excellent.”

Collaborating with charity Red Rose Recovery, the training was shared at their monthly ‘Roots Community forum’ event. 

Naloxone kits were also offered from a stall to those who wanted them, with five Roots Community members picking up kits for themselves.

The Roots Community connects people in recovery through local projects, activities and services that benefit the wider community – including the monthly forum event.

Anyone wanting to keep naloxone on their person for emergency situations, can ask for some at Spark’s Needle Exchange at St John’s Court or call 01254 495014 for more information.