Overview

• Licensed venues will be invited to keep naloxone nasal spray in first-aid kits under a NSW government harm-reduction initiative announced on October 4.
• Participation is voluntary, with tailored support, training and expert advice provided by NSW Health.
• Naloxone rapidly blocks opioids to reverse overdoses for 30–90 minutes and is harmless if given to someone who has not used opioids.
• The rollout builds on free take-home naloxone already available through pharmacies, hospitals and health services, supported by earlier federal funding.
• The move follows a September alert after 10 severe opioid overdoses linked to drugs sold as cocaine, with drug-checking trials continuing at festivals including Knockout Outdoor and a formal government response expected before year-end.