Five possible deaths have been prevented as a result of a pilot programme for a drugs overdose treatment.

Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of drugs like heroine, morphone and methadone.

There are now calls on International Overdose Awareness Day to make the treatment widely available to drug users and their families.

HSE Primary Care Director John Hennessy at launch of Naloxone Demonstration Project Evaluation #Overdoseday2016 pic.twitter.com/CtNyqm2pxD

— Drugsdotie (@drugsdotie) August 31, 2016

Ireland has one of the highest rates of drug overdoses in the EU , more than one person here dies from an overdose every day.

To help tackle the issue, the HSE introduced a pilot programme for a treatment drug called Naloxone last year.

600 people taking part in pilot programmes around the country were taught how to administer the drug in the event of an overdose.

According to a report launched on International Overdose Awareness Day it has already prevented 5 possible deaths.

Kim Buckley has this report: