The reported Jersey study ran between October 1998 for 16 months,
although Naloxone distribution to users continued afterwards. The
coroner's figures for deaths in Jersey from "dependent" drug use are
dominated by the use of opiates and benzodiazepines. There were no such
deaths in 1996, 4 in 1997, 2 in 1998, 4 in 1999, and 3 in the first 6
months of 2000. Such figures give no support to the effectiveness of take
home Naloxone.
Jersey's results may not be applicable to other settings. It is a
small island. Most drug users live within a mile of the hospital, and the
ambulance staff carry naloxone. It would have been safer if the
companions of the anecdotal case had phoned for an ambulance.
Rapid Response:
Naloxone - life saver?
The reported Jersey study ran between October 1998 for 16 months,
although Naloxone distribution to users continued afterwards. The
coroner's figures for deaths in Jersey from "dependent" drug use are
dominated by the use of opiates and benzodiazepines. There were no such
deaths in 1996, 4 in 1997, 2 in 1998, 4 in 1999, and 3 in the first 6
months of 2000. Such figures give no support to the effectiveness of take
home Naloxone.
Jersey's results may not be applicable to other settings. It is a
small island. Most drug users live within a mile of the hospital, and the
ambulance staff carry naloxone. It would have been safer if the
companions of the anecdotal case had phoned for an ambulance.
Competing interests: No competing interests