CGL West Kent Drug & Alcohol Wellbeing Service

Naloxone is a lifesaving, overdose reversal drug. It can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose while you wait for emergency help to arrive.

The effects of naloxone don’t last very long, so it’s important to always call 999 and ask for emergency help when you use it.

Anyone can use naloxone in an emergency. For example, if someone uses op**te drugs or other drugs that could be contaminated with synthetic opioids, naloxone can help save a life.

If you'd like a naloxone kit, visit or get in touch with your local service. A trained member of staff will give you a kit and teach you how to prevent and manage opioid overdoses. Naloxone training can take as little as 10 minutes.

Come and speak to us about getting trained up to use naloxone. Give us a call on 0330 128 1113 or email [email protected] and someone will be in touch.

Nitazenes are a new synthetic opioid and are often hundreds of times stronger than he**in and at least as potent as fentanyl. They have led to accidental overdoses and deaths around the country as your drugs might look the same, even if they are contaminated with nitazenes.

If you plan on using opioids, here are some signs of an overdose to look out for so you can keep your friends safe:

- Loss of consciousness
- Shallow or absent breathing
- Snoring or loud rasping
- Blue or grey lips and or fingertips

Call for an ambulance immediately if someone overdoses and give them naloxone.

Nitazenes have also been found in non-op**te drugs so be aware of the above signs and symptoms when using any illicit drug.

For more information on how to keep yourself and others safe, you can visit our website:

https://www.changegrowlive.org/drugs-contaminated-synthetic-opioids-advice-staying-safe-nitazenes

The UK drug market has changed in recent years with the arrival of nitazenes and other synthetic drugs. Nitazenes are synthetic opioids that are often hundreds of times stronger than he**in and at least as potent as fentanyl.

If you plan on using he**in or other drugs, use this information to keep yourself and your friends as safe as possible:

⏱️Go low and slow: start with a quarter hit of a new supply and wait to see the effects

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Don’t use alone: Make sure someone you trust is present and has a couple of naloxone kits to hand

💊 If using with others it's best if only one person uses the drug first and uses a smaller dose, waiting for the peak effects to pass

🍺 Don't mix drugs: Using more than one drug increases your risk of overdose, this includes mixing with alcohol

🧍‍♀Look after your friends: Look out for the signs of an overdose, e.g. loss of consciousness, shallow or absent breathing, ‘snoring’ or loud ‘rasping’, and/or blue or grey lips or fingertips

🤳Call for an ambulance immediately if someone overdoses and give them naloxone.

🏠 Ask for nitazene testing strips at your nearest Change Grow Live service

Find out more about keeping yourself and others safe from nitazenes:

https://www.changegrowlive.org/drugs-contaminated-synthetic-opioids-advice-staying-safe-nitazenes

There have been accidental overdoses and deaths of people across the country from he**in and other drugs that have been mixed with nitazenes.

Nitazenes are made in labs and mimic the effects of natural opioids such as he**in. They are often hundreds of times stronger than he**in and at least as potent as fentanyl. Nitazenes have been found in he**in but also in other drugs such as benzos.

Your drugs may look the same, even if they are contaminated. We can provide you with testing strips to see if nitazenes are present. Alternatively, you can use the testing service available at www.wedinos.org.

For more information on the testing strips, or to get advice and support, give us a call on 0330 128 1113

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Nitazene, a synthetic opioid that’s at least as strong as fentanyl but could be up to 500 times stronger, has led to accidental overdoses and deaths in the UK.

Here’s your checklist for staying safe:

Grab a buddy – you're safer if you don’t use drugs alone.

Grab a naloxone kit – if someone overdoses, give them naloxone and call 999.

Grab a nitazene self-testing strip – test your drugs before you use them. It’ll only take a few minutes.

Ask us for nitazene self-tests and naloxone today:
West Kent Drug & Alcohol Wellbeing Service

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🌟✨ RuPaul: Embracing Self-Love & Recovery ✨🌈

👑 Icon of Drag & Empowerment: RuPaul Andre Charles, a trailblazing drag queen, singer, actor, and host of , embodies self-confidence, authenticity, and empowerment in the world of entertainment.

💪 Journey to Recovery: RuPaul's personal journey included battling addiction in the '80s and '90s. His commitment to self-improvement led to a transformative recovery journey marked by resilience, self-love, and personal growth.

🗣️ Words of Wisdom: "The solution to all your problems is to find the love within you." RuPaul's powerful quotes echo the importance of self-worth, inner strength, and the pursuit of personal well-being, inspiring countless individuals worldwide.

🌈 Advocacy & Inspiration: Beyond drag, RuPaul advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, inclusivity, and self-expression, leaving an indelible mark on pop culture. His journey from struggles to empowerment continues to inspire millions to embrace self-love and resilience.

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