Naloxone Saves Lives – But Stigma Still Stands in the Way

Anton, Service Manager, Phoenix Futures Lambeth Consortium

On Overdose Awareness Day, we remember those we’ve lost, celebrate every life saved, and shine a light on how stigma continues to put people at risk.

One of the most powerful tools we have against overdose is naloxone – a simple, safe, and effective medication that reverses opioid overdoses. But stigma still prevents too many people from carrying it, using it, or even talking about it.

Anton, a Service Manager with Phoenix Futures Lambeth Consortium, shared his story of administering naloxone on a community outreach day in Brixton.

“We got a call that someone was overdosing near the station. By the time I reached him, his breathing was shallow, his pulse weak, and his pupils pinned – all the signs of an opiate overdose. Thanks to my naloxone training, I felt confident in what to do. I administered nasal naloxone while a police officer prepared to do CPR. At first nothing happened. Then suddenly he shot up – panicked, but alive. Minutes later the ambulance arrived. It was chaotic, but naloxone saved his life.”

Stigma and the fear of being judged

Despite naloxone’s life-saving potential, Anton shared how he believes stigma often stops people from carrying it.

“Clients sometimes worry that if someone sees naloxone in their bag, they’ll be judged as a drug user. That fear is real. But naloxone isn’t about appearances, it’s about safety. The nasal spray version is small and discreet. You don’t have to show anyone you have it, but having it could save your life or someone else’s.”

This stigma also extends to how overdoses are sometimes responded to.

“There were several police officers at the scene, but no one had mouth guards. There was hesitation about giving mouth-to-mouth – not because they didn’t care, but because of discomfort around the fact it was a drug-related emergency. Addiction is still too often seen as a matter of choice, rather than the health condition it is. If people could simply stop, they would. Addiction takes hold, like any illness, and it needs compassion and treatment – not judgement.”

Changing perceptions, saving lives

Anton believes stories like his can help shift attitudes:

“After that incident, people from other services came to ask me about naloxone – how it works, what training involves, and why it matters. That interest shows people want to learn, and that’s encouraging. But overdose isn’t rare. It happens more often than people realise. The more we talk openly about it, the more we can normalise carrying naloxone and reduce the stigma attached to it.”

In light of Overdose Awareness Day, the Anti-Stigma Network calls for:

· Greater awareness of naloxone as a life-saving medication.

· Wider access to training so more people feel confident to use it.

· A united effort to challenge the stigma that stops people from seeking help or carrying naloxone.

Carrying naloxone should be seen as an act of care, not a label, and stigma must never be a barrier to saving a life.

Find out more about naloxone and how to access it through your local drug and alcohol services.