Get a Naloxone kit
Naloxone is a free, safe medication that reverses an opioid overdose. It can restart someone’s breathing in minutes and keep them alive until an ambulance arrives. Anyone can carry it. Anyone can give it.
We provide free kits and a short training session to anyone who might need one. It only takes around 10 minutes.
⚠️ If you think someone is overdosing right now, call 999 immediately. Do not wait.
⚠️ Important: synthetic opioids in the Wirral drug supply Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and nitazenes, are present in the drug supply in Wirral. They are much stronger than heroin and increase the risk of overdose significantly. Carrying Naloxone has never been more important. If you use opioids, or know someone who does, please get a kit.
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone is a medication that blocks the effects of opioids on the brain. When someone overdoses on opioids (such as heroin, methadone, fentanyl, morphine, or codeine), their breathing slows or stops. Naloxone reverses this quickly, giving time for medical help to arrive.
It is only effective for opioid overdoses. It will not cause harm if given to someone who is not overdosing on opioids, so if you are unsure, it is always better to use it than to wait.
Signs of an opioid overdose
If you see any of the following, act straight away.
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
- Unresponsive or cannot be woken up
- Blue or grey lips, fingernails, or skin
- Very small (pinpoint) pupils
- Gurgling or snoring sounds
- Limp body
What to do in an overdose
- Call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Tell them you think someone has overdosed on opioids.
- Make sure you are safe before approaching. Check for hazards such as needles.
- Check their airway. Place them in the recovery position if they are breathing.
- Give Naloxone using your kit, following the training you received. It should start working within 2 to 5 minutes.
- Wait and watch. The effects of Naloxone last 20 to 40 minutes. If there is no improvement, give a second dose. The person may start overdosing again as it wears off, so stay with them.
- Stay with them until the ambulance arrives. Hand over the used kit to the paramedics.
Info box: You will not get into trouble for calling 999. The ambulance service will not bring the police with them.
Types of kit
We provide two types of Naloxone kit. Both are equally effective. Our staff will help you choose the right one and show you how to use it.
 |
 |
Injection
Prenoxad
A pre-filled syringe. Injected into the outer thigh muscle, through clothing if needed.
Nasal Spray
Nyxoid
A nasal spray. Inserted into one nostril and pressed to release the dose.
Who can get a kit?
We give kits to anyone who might need one. You do not need to be registered with our service. This includes:
- People who use opioids, including those on a prescription such as methadone or buprenorphine
- Family members, friends, or carers of someone who uses opioids
- Anyone who wants to be prepared to help in an emergency
If you have used your kit, or if it is lost, damaged, or out of date, come to us for a replacement. Always bring expired kits back to us rather than keeping them.
How to get a kit
Getting a kit takes around 10 minutes. One of our trained staff members will give you the kit and show you how to use it. No appointment needed.
Drop in to any of our locations during opening hours and ask at reception for a Naloxone kit.
Market Street Hub, Birkenhead 84 Market Street, Birkenhead, CH41 6HB Mon: 9:00am – 5:00pm Tue: 9:00am – 7:30pm Wed: 9:00am – 7:30pm Thu: 9:00am – 5:00pm Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm Sat – Sun: Closed Tuesdays from 4pm: dedicated space for people who present as female.
Brighton Street Hub, Wallasey 151 Brighton Street, Wallasey, CH44 8DY Mon – Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm Sat – Sun: Closed
Price Street Hub, Birkenhead Suites 1–3, Price Street, Birkenhead, CH41 8DY Mon: 9:00am – 5:00pm Tue: 9:00am – 5:00pm Wed: 9:00am – 7:30pm Thu: 9:00am – 5:00pm Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm Sat – Sun: Closed Wednesdays from 5pm: dedicated space for people who present as male.
Argyle Street Hub and Nightingales Café, Birkenhead 88–90 Argyle Street, Grange Precinct, Birkenhead, CH41 6AG Mon: 8:00am – 3:00pm Tue: 8:00am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 7:00pm Wed: 8:00am – 3:00pm Thu: 8:00am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 7:00pm Fri: 8:00am – 3:00pm Sat: 10:00am – 2:00pm Sun: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Get in touch and a member of our team will help you arrange to collect a kit.
Phone: 0151 556 1335 Email: wirral.services@cgl.org.uk
Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm (excluding bank holidays). Outside of these hours, leave a message and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Our free Naloxone training sessions take around 10 minutes and will give you the confidence to respond if someone overdoses. When you complete a session, you go home with a kit.
Training is open to everyone, whether or not you are registered with Wirral Ways. You do not need any prior experience or knowledge.
What the training covers:
- How to recognise the signs of an opioid overdose
- How to use your Naloxone kit safely
- What to do while you wait for an ambulance
To find out when our next training sessions are running, check our training timetable or get in touch.
Common questions
Will using Naloxone harm someone who is not overdosing?
No. Naloxone is safe to give even if you are unsure. If opioids are not involved, it will have no effect. It is always better to use it than to wait and see.
Can I get a kit if I am not a Wirral Ways client?
Yes. You do not need to be registered with our service. Anyone who might need a kit, or who could help someone else in an emergency, is welcome to come to us.
What if someone comes round and seems fine after I give Naloxone?
They still need medical attention. Naloxone wears off after 20 to 40 minutes, and the opioids can still be in the body. The person may go back into overdose once the Naloxone wears off, so always wait for the ambulance.
What if I need to give more than one dose?
Yes, you can and sometimes should, particularly if synthetic opioids like fentanyl or nitazenes are involved. Give another dose if there is no improvement, and keep going until help arrives or the person responds. You can ask us for extra kits to keep to hand.
Can I carry more than one kit?
Yes. If you would like extra kits to pass on to people you know, speak to one of our staff members. We can also provide enhanced training so you can show others how to use Naloxone safely.
What if my kit is out of date or I have used it?
Come to any of our locations and we will give you a new one, no questions asked. If an expired kit is the only one available in an emergency, use it anyway as it may still help.
Last Updated on 12 May 2026