A programme to reverse the effects of heroin will become more available this year.
The Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy says the lifesaving effects of 'Naloxone' were highlighted during the recent overdose cases in Cork and Dublin.
Hildegarde Naughton's anxious to see the programme expanded:
"In many cases, Naloxone was administered before the ambulance services arrived, which really reinforces the need to make it more readily available. I want more people trained. I want to see our Gardaí on the beat with access to Naloxone, and I would like to make it prescription free. We really need to ensure that it's more accessible for support workers, for peers, and family members".
