Overdose can affect anyone in the community so it’s important to know that there is help available. At Gateway Health we are working to raise awareness about overdose and promote services that help prevent drug-related deaths.

Opioids, which include the illegal drug heroin and legal drugs prescribed for pain such as oxycodone, fentanyl, codeine, morphine, and many others, are responsible for a high number of overdose and drug-related deaths.

Naloxone is a medication that can prevent death from an opioid overdose if administered in time and you can access it for free at Gateway Health.

We can provide naloxone to family members, friends, and carers of people who are at risk of overdosing. You do not need to have a Medicare or Health Care Card to access free naloxone. You can access naloxone at Gateway Health in Wangaratta and Wodonga, and we can provide it in an outreach capacity if required across the Ovens and Murray region. As well as issuing you with naloxone, our staff can provide overdose response training.

In the last financial year (2021/22) we issued 98 doses of naloxone, an increase from 51 doses issued in 2020/21.

If you or someone you know is at risk of opioid overdose please reach out to us. Contact our Alcohol and Other Drugs team by calling 02 6022 888 or emailing AODadmin@gatewayhealth.org.au.

As well as providing support for the high risk of overdose, Gateway Health works with individuals and the local community to reduce harm from alcohol and drug use.

Services we provide include:

  • Alcohol and drug counselling – Designed to help people reduce the harm from alcohol and drug use and achieve meaningful goals.
  • Care and recovery coordination – Provides support for people with drug and alcohol dependence, and other issues impacting their life.
  • Family drug support – Supports people with family members who are struggling with alcohol and other drug issues.
  • Multidisciplinary Enhanced Rural Pharmacotherapy Service (MERPS) – A specialist clinical service that supports clients to access opioid pharmacotherapy treatment (Buprenorphine and Methadone).
  • Needle and syringe program – A confidential service that provides sterile injecting equipment, including needles, syringes, and disposal containers.
  • Non-residential drug withdrawal program – Helps people who want to cut back or stop their alcohol or drug use, supporting them through recovery and with links to other services.
  • Opioid dependence program – Provides treatment for managing opioid dependence, counselling and crisis management, and referrals to other agencies where appropriate.
  • Wangaratta Therapeutic Community – A 30-bed voluntary residential rehabilitation facility for adults experiencing significant problems relating to alcohol and drug use.
  • Youth alcohol and other drug outreach – A free and confidential treatment service for young people aged 12 to 25 tailored to meet their needs.

To find out more about these services visit Alcohol and Drug Support.