RELATIVES and friends of drug abuse victims in Glasgow are remembering lost loved ones during overdose awareness week.

The Glasgow Drug Crisis Centre and Families Addiction Support Service (FASS) are also raising awareness of Naloxone, a medication used to reverse the effects of opiate - including heroin and prescription drugs - overdose.

It came after the latest figures revealed the number of drug-related deaths in the Glasgow area had risen by 36% in the last year.

The Evening Times visited the Drug Crisis Centre to find out about Naloxone.

Patricia Tracey, service manager, called the medication a “lifesaver”.

She added: “Scotland is the first nationally funded programme. There was a pilot in Glasgow and now we have it nationally.

“Naloxone reverses the effects of an overdose so it does save somebody’s life.

“People are put into the recovery position and given Naloxone and it buys some time.

"It’s used so the emergency services can get there quickly enough.”

If someone is showing signs of an overdose, a friend or family member should inject them in their thigh or arm.

A series of events are being held this week, including Naloxone training, a screening of a play about the effects of an overdose and talks by survivors.

A memory tree with names of people who have died after overdosing has been placed at the front of the centre in Tradeston.

Ms Tracey said: “We have a mixed approach to our overdose week. We remember people we’ve lost but also we raise awareness of overdose and risks involved in that.”

Ms Tracey said overdosing can “devastate” families and can often lead to people’s drug abuse becoming worse.

She said: “If somebody’s got an addiction and people are dying around about them sometimes their coping mechanism is to use more.

“We also try and educate people on the best way to reduce the risks when using drugs.

“We don’t condone drug use but if someone is using we want to make sure they are safe.”

At the moment only victims at risk of overdose can take home the Naloxone kits.

The centre is supporting a campaign to increase the availability of the medication.

Ms Tracey said: “We would support family members getting them (kits) because they’re in the best position to respond.”