Alongside South Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership, Turning Point Scotland are proud to announce Scotland’s first live Naboxone. Naboxone cabinets allow the public to access Naloxone 24 hours/7 days a week to reverse opioid overdoses.

This cabinet is situated on Larkhall Union Street, close to Larkhall Pharmacy, 78 Union Street. This yellow cabinet can be clearly recognised with NHS Lanarkshire and Turning Point Scotland logos.

This cabinet represents a compassionate and evidence-based approach to addressing drug use, aiming to reduce associated stigma and promote community responsibility. By empowering individuals to support their fellow citizens, it contributes to the normalising of helping people at risk of an overdose and to fostering a more inclusive and understanding society.  

Patricia Tracey, Head of Alcohol and other Drugs, Turning Point Scotland says “I want to acknowledge the determination of our Service Manager, Thomas Hobbs. Thomas really drove this forward and used his expertise of drug use in the area as well as consulting with people currently using substances. Continued acknowledgment to Michelle Wallace who was pivotal in ensuring this went ahead. The cabinet is not live anywhere else in the country and will be crucial to reducing drug related deaths. We are optimistic that this initiative will continue to enhance public awareness of Naloxone and encourage those affected by substance use to seek the help and support they need.”

Rosie Welsh, Strategic Lead, South Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership says, “South Lanarkshire Alcohol & Drug Partnership (SLADP) are committed to reducing the harms and subsequent deaths caused by substances by providing an innovative approach in responding to opiate based overdoses. Previous learning has highlighted near fatal overdoses require timely interventions which we hope the installation of the unit will provide. South Lanarkshire ADP see the installation as a major step forward in achieving the goal of reducing harms and addressing stigma within our communities. Acknowledgement must be given to Michelle Wallace, Development Officer and Thomas Hobbs, Service Manager for their ongoing commitment for securing an approved site and subsequent installation. We look forward to the expansion of this initiative in the near future.”

This vital resource is provided by Whitford Products Ltd which is user friendly and works like public defibrillators. The cabinets are water and dust resistant as well as having thermostatic heaters ensuring the advised storage temperature is maintained.

To use this cabinet and gain access to naloxone, a member of the public can call the number on the box and to be given instructions on how to open the box and administer the naloxone.

Kieran Whitford, Director, Whitford Products Ltd says, “Naboxone was designed to give control and safety back to the community by allowing anyone access to life-saving naloxone when they need it most. It’s fantastic to have the support of Turning Point Scotland in taking this huge step forward. The cabinets have already saved lives in Gwent, Wales, so it is crucial that more of these public access naloxone cabinets are out there across the UK.”

Launching this cabinet during recovery month is an encouraging reminder of our steps towards treating drug related deaths as a crisis and ensuring people have access to support.