Turning Point Scotland have opened the North Lanarkshire Crisis Outreach service in Airdrie to reduce drug-related harm and death.

This week the new service began delivering support that will include rapid response to near-fatal overdose, which provides a short, focused period of support for individuals.

Commissioned by North Lanarkshire Council, staff at the service support people to increase engagement with alcohol and other drugs services.

The new service also delivers harm reduction interventions, which includes provision of injecting equipment and overdose awareness information.

The team at the service consists of 15 staff, including a nurse who will provide wound care, healthcare screening and blood borne virus testing.

The work of the new service is based on evidence from the successful overdose response teams, detailed in the release of the Turning Point Scotland and Simon Community Scotland Overdose Response Teams Evaluation earlier this year.

Turning Point Scotland Head of Alcohol and Other Drugs, Patricia Tracey said:

“Our staff have begun work at North Lanarkshire Crisis Outreach from the new office in Airdrie. This service will allow us to continue our evidence-based work with North Lanarkshire Council and key partners as we continue to reduce drug related harm and save lives.”

Patricia Tracey