The nasal spray naloxone reverses opioid overdoses, i.e. overdoses on drugs such as morphine, heroin and methadone. But the spray is harmless to give even if it would not be opioids taken before.
– We distribute this to everyone who wants and feels that they need it, says Cia Larsson.
She believes that it is good to have the nasal spray close at hand as today it is difficult to know what drugs you are ingesting.
"Many people order their drugs online. Then you have no idea what it is mixed with. Things are different today compared to 30 years ago.
Gives out more nasal spray kits
In just a few years, staff at the syringe exchange have noticed an increase in how many kits they distribute. They started using the spray three to four years ago.
"When we opened here in Sunderbyn, it wasn't that big and then it was forgotten. Now you think about it every time someone comes inside the doors.
They know that at least eleven nasal sprays have been used and saved lives since they started training in using it.
Want more people to embrace
Now the staff is encouraging other units and municipalities to also start training. Cia Larsson thinks that, among other things, emergency rooms should distribute the nasal spray.
Why do you think more people haven't joined in yet?
"I think it's mainly not been talked about like it is now. It is good that attention is being paid to this. In southern Sweden, this is a matter of course. Hopefully we can spread interest up here.
In the clip, you hear Cia Larsson talk about the feeling when you learn that the spray saved someone.