News

Overdose awareness campaign following recent deaths

Published

10 years ago

May 27, 2016

needle

DYFED Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS), in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, Dyfed Powys Police, National Probation Service and Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Local Authorities, have expressed serious concern about possible drug-related deaths in the Dyfed-Powys area, which may be the result of a batch of heroin and street synthetic opiates.

Partners are now working together on an overdose awareness campaign to be rolled out across Carmarthen, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire at the end of May to alert service users, their families and the general public.

The campaign will run from 31st May to the 4th June and anyone can drop in to the big black recovery bus which will be parked in various locations:

31st May – we will be in Aberystwyth
1st June – Castle Square, Haverforwest
2nd June – ASDA car park, Pembroke Dock
3rd June – Station Road in Llanelli
4th June – Guild Hall, Carmarthen.

Campaign co-ordinator for DDAS said: “If you spot the big black bus then please drop in. They will be dispensing Naloxone kits (a life saving overdose medication), raising awareness about mixing drugs with alcohol and giving away alcohol unit wheels for people to take home with them. DDAS’s needle and syringe service and Wedinos sampling will also be on offer and they will be working alongside Terrance Higgins Trust colleagues to raise awareness of blood borne viruses as well as community dental teams to raise awareness about oral health for drug and alcohol users.”

Rowan Williams, Regional Director, Drugaid, added: “Whilst nobody wants to see people risk their lives by taking drugs, we recognise that there are a lot of individuals who misuse drugs, including heroin. Over the years we have seen far too many lives destroyed by drugs – not just the users but also their families and friends, after all drug users are also somebody’s son or daughter, mother or father.

“We are encouraging service users to utilise the Wedinos Sampling Testing Service, who collect samples of unknown and unidentified substances for testing and then analyse these for their chemical profile. Often, people are taking a mixture of substances that is different to what they think they have purchased. Service users can contact DDAS on 03303 639 997 or drop in to one of our operational bases across Dyfed for harm reduction advice or support in submitting a Wedinos sample.”

Sian Roberts, Service Manager for DDAS wants to urge professionals from all sectors who come into contact with drug users to get in touch for a 20 minute training workshop on Naloxone.

She said: “Naloxone is a life saving drug that temporarily reverses the effects of an accidental overdose of drugs such as heroin, codeine/co-codamol and morphine. As a service, we want to raise awareness about this drug so that the message reaches as many people as possible. We have trained 37 professionals and trained and dispense 48 service users with Naloxone kits since January. In Carmarthenshire alone, we are aware that Naloxone has been administered on 5 occasions, saving 5 lives.”

DDAS has issued an invitation for any drug user or family or friends of users to get in touch to discuss any concerns or worries. The project can offer a variety of ways to help those wishing to stop using or cut down and is able to discuss confidentially any drug related concerns. Service users are encouraged to obtain Take Home Naloxone which DDAS can provide. The telephone number is 03303 639 997. Out of hours call DAN 24 / 7 on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN 81066.

Teresa Owen, Chair of the Dyfed Area Planning Board and Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda University Health Board commented:

“Thankfully drug related deaths in Wales have been falling during the past two years. Incidents like this only serve to highlight the need to continue to inform and educate drug users about the risks they face.

“The most important thing is to prevent any further deaths and any further heartache to families. DDAS is working with similar agencies, the police and other emergency services to warn of the dangers and risks of heroin taking. There is no such thing as a “safe” illicit drug and that’s the message we need to get across.”

Superintendent Claire Parmenter, Local Policing Commander for Carmarthenshire said: “We are committed to preventing further tragedies and fully sypport this Overdose Awareness Campaign.

“Our role as police is enforcement activity and we work closely with the harm reduction agencies to encourage individuals to stop consuming drugs, particularly heroin.

“We are appealing to anyone with information about the supply of heroin or any drugs in the community to contact the police by calling 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Rowan Williams added: “It is so sad that we are yet again seeing individuals die as a result of drug taking and I would urge drug users to get in touch with DDAS, or any other agency for advice and support or to get their own Naloxone kits to try and ensure we don’t have further tragic deaths.”

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

8 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

18 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

18 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.