10th September 2021
SDF have launched an online survey seeking to gain insight into the experiences of people who have provided assistance when someone has experienced a suspected drug overdose. This survey will support better understanding of people’s needs when they are in this situation and any supports that may help people afterwards.
Kirsten Horsburgh Strategy Coordinator (Drug Death Prevention) says ‘We are really pleased to be undertaking this survey and are keen to capture the views of anyone who has helped someone in an emergency overdose situation. This work emerged from conversations with people who have witnessed overdoses and people working with people who have been in this situation. There are very real concerns that people should be, and are often not being, adequately supported. The national naloxone programme has a role to play obviously but this is a wider issue for the whole field and for the people and communities most affected and at most risk.
“Data in this area is poor but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that suggests that people may well require support during and after intervening at an overdose situation. We are aware that filling in a form about the factual details of being in this position may be emotive for people and we want people to be safe. However, we do greatly appreciate people’s commitment in completing the survey and helping with this research that seeks to improve things for people in these situations in the future.”
The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
Click here to access the survey or you can scan the QR Code below.
