Prisoners are helping one another prevent drug deaths when they are released by giving potentially life-saving Naloxone training and drug advice.

People leaving jail are highly vulnerable to overdose in the days and weeks after release and many have died as a result.

At HMP Low Moss, just north of Glasgow, four men are peer mentors - delivering the training with the NHS.

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The scheme has been recognised, winning two awards at the Public Health Staff Awards.

The Glasgow Times was given access to Low Moss prison to speak to two of the men who are peer mentors and staff overseeing the project.

Glasgow Times:

Everyone who is released from the prison is offered the chance to have a session with a mentor the night before they are freed.

We are not identifying the men involved or revealing any details of their sentences.

Mentor A said he got involved after he hit a “low point” while inside because of addiction.

He said: “If they are getting released in the morning we speak to them the night before."

He has experience of losing someone to an overdose in the past and said he wants to help prevent it from happening to others.

He added: “Most people start taking drugs when they are in jail.

“But there’s a change now in the jails. They are trying to help you. Rehabs have started to pop up and the help is there if you want it.”

He said some days it can be eight men taking the training, other days just one.”

It only takes around 15 to 30 minutes but that can be half-an-hour that saves a life.

"Most people take the training", he said.

"Although some are not sure but come round.

“The guys will respond to us better than they will to a prison officer.”

Peer Mentor B explained what they do.

He said: “We show them how to administer the Naloxone spray.

“But it is not just about how to put a spray up someone’s nose.

"We tell them how to spot an overdose and how to deal with it and get them to share the info when they go out.

“We show them some CPR as well and other harm reduction advice to help them if they are taking drugs.”

Katie Yuile, health improvement practitioner, said the men are a key target audience for training.

Glasgow Times:

She said: “ Leaving prison is a big risk factor for overdose - a number of patients die  within three months of leaving.”

Mentor A added: “Since I’ve been in here I’ve heard of people dying sometimes within a week.

“This is about giving someone the opportunity to save a life.”

Glasgow Times:

The peer Naloxone programme also operates at Barlinnie with 11 men taking part in total.

Peer mentors participate in a number of training sessions delivered by both health improvement staff and external trainers, with the programme providing an opportunity for those who live in prison to participate and complete training to deliver a high quality input to other prisoners.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “The Scottish Prison Service is determined to play our part in saving lives across Scotland.

“Thanks to our NHS partners, the efforts of staff, and our mentors, people leaving our care will have the knowledge and tools to do exactly that.

“This is an invaluable piece of volunteering, which will make a real difference in our communities.”

Rhoda Macleod, head of service for Prison Health Care NHSGGC, said: “This service is unique and our mentors have had the opportunity to influence the number of deaths recorded in Scotland which are attributed to substance misuse.

"Within the first quarter of this year, 379 Naloxone kits were issued from Scottish prisons with around one in four of these being supplied by peers.

“People living within prison receive no payment or benefits to participate in this programme and this highlights the commitment to reducing drug-related harm within our communities.”