Since 2010, rates of fatal drug overdose in the state have risen almost 40% - up from 342 deaths to 477*. 

For every overdose death, there are an estimated 20+ non-fatal overdose incidents^.

The Proactive Overdose Response Initiative (P.O.R.I) works to support people who have experienced, or are at risk of any type of drug overdose, with the goal of preventing future (re)occurrences. We connect people with a range of services and educational programs including:

• Take-home Naloxone Training
• Overdose prevention education
• Safer-use advice
• Counselling
• Post-incident care

Upon request, the P.O.R.I team can help you connect with other treatment programs and health and social welfare services.

Recognising any effective preventive approach to overdose requires action beyond the 'at-risk' individual, our Initiative also seeks to encourage the community to understand and respond to drug overdoses in a way that is beneficial for everyone involved.

Youth Projects extends its overdose prevention education and overdose response training to partners, friends and family of those who are at-risk of drug overdose, as well as to those who work within the alcohol and other drug sector. 

Seek help

    

A Collaborative Response

Under the Naloxone Subsidy Initiative, Youth Projects is working together with local pharmacies to provide free naloxone and overdose education to the community. If you are either at risk of experiencing or witnessing an overdose, visit one of our participating pharmacies to get your naloxone antidote today.

We are always looking to develop partnerships with other organisations that encounter overdose events or that maintain contact with individuals at risk of overdose. Through these partnerships, we seek to open referral pathways to enhance our engagement at critical opportunities so that at-risk individuals can be provided with timely and appropriate follow up.

If you would like further information about P.O.R.I, to refer someone or or would like to partner with us please contact our P.O.R.I Response Worker on (03) 9945 2100.   

* Coroners Court of Victoria (2017), Submission to Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Dug Law Reform, p. 30
^ European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2010), Annual Report: The State of the Drugs Problem in Europe, p. 85

The Proactive Overdose Response Initiative is supported by the Victorian Government.