The service can now offer training to people who are at risk of witnessing an overdose and supply them with naloxone.

Naloxone is almost side-effect free when it is taken to combat opioids such as heroin and temporarily reverses the potentially deadly effects of an overdose.

Services which do not specialise in addiction have only recently been allowed to give it to people who may be likely to witness an overdose, as per of measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

The Perth and Kinross Floating Housing Support service, which supports adults with an array of needs within their own homes, is one of the first in the UK to take the step in providing Naloxone.

Service staff are now authorised to supply the drug when needed, The Evening Telegraph reports. 

Patricia Tracey, head of alcohol and other drug services for Turning Point Scotland, said that the measure would help reduce the number of drug deaths.

She said: “Since the initial pilot stages and the roll-out of the National Naloxone Programme in 2011, Trungin Point Scotland has strongly supported the use of naloxone and now welcomes its extended provision. Care services like our Perth and Kinross Floating Housing Support service can now use it to save lives.”