In the past 10-14 days there have been an unprecedented number of overdoses (with some deaths) in people who use drugs, primarily heroin, in some parts of the country (5 London boroughs, Hampshire, Essex, West Sussex, Dorset, Thames Valley).

This alert contains urgent actions for providers where staff may encounter people who use drugs and those providers that provide emergency care for opioid overdose.

Directors of Public Health are asked to cascade this to commissioners and providers of drug treatment and prevention services and other relevant services that have, or may have, contact with drug users including: sexual health services; youth services; hostels; relevant information networks; and service users groups