A FRONTLINE charity worker from Greenock is helping families all over Scotland save lives by sending out vital life-preserving equipment.

Suzie Gallagher, who works for Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD), is looking after the distribution of naloxone kits - lifesaving packages which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Since May, Suzie has had to send out four kits to people in Inverclyde from her home in Banff Road.

She knows that if they have been used, they could have potentially saved four lives.

Suzie said: "The kits I've sent out in Inverclyde so far have all been first supplies, meaning that these people have not had the potential to save their loved one's life up until now.

"We've seen a significant increase in demand for our service during the Covid crisis.

"People are worried about their family members using drugs.

"We have to get these kits out to where they are needed most."

The programme is the only 'click and deliver' service in Scotland and is being run in partnership with the Scottish Drugs Forum.

It has been introduced to make it easier for families to access the kits, as a lot of services are now closed due to coronavirus public health restrictions.

Suzie said: "A lot of face-to-face treatment services are now closed.

"It used to be that only drug workers could get the naloxone kits and families would have to go to a pharmacy or treatment centre but regulations have changed over the years.

"Due to Covid, the Lord Advocate has expanded the number of services able to distribute naloxone kits to anyone who is supporting someone who is at risk of, or who is likely to witness, an opioid-related overdose."

Naloxone can reverse the effects of drugs like heroin, methadone and opium.

It begins working within two to five minutes and gives people precious time to get emergency 999 help from an ambulance should be called.

Suzie says there's a stigma around someone walking into a pharmacy or a treatment centre and asking for one of the packages and believes that being able to send the kits straight to someone's door removes that barrier.

As the coronavirus lockdown eases, Suzie has urged people who are concerned about loved ones with drug problems to get in touch with SFAD.

She is determined to save as many lives as she can.

Suzie said: "All drug-related deaths are preventable.

"These kits should be treated like a First Aid one.

"I take mine everywhere with me.

"It's very small, easy to carry and it could save a life."

*You can find out more by calling the SFAD helpline on 08080 101 011 or visiting www.sfad.org.uk