By Tony O’Reilly-
Scottish police are to equip 12,500 of its officers with a drug that helps treat opioid-related overdoses.
Officers across Scotland have now given Naloxone to people suffering life-threatening situations which could have been liked to an overdose of a opioid drug such as heroin.
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The miracle drug has been used 104 times, and has saved lives in all but four incidents a life has been saved.
The drug has the ability to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids, and is commonly used to counter decreased breathing in opioid overdose.
The medicine can also be administered by spraying it into a person’s nose. Naloxone commonly blocks the effects of opioids for 30 to 90 minutes. Multiple doses may be required, as the duration of action of some opioids is greater than that of naloxone
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Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie (pictured) said the drug allows police officers to protect and preserve life.
“It’s an additional tool to their existing extensive first aid training, and it helps not just the person experiencing a health crisis, but also saves family and friends the heartache of mourning a loved one lost to drugs,” said the officer, who is Police Scotland’s head of drug strategy.
“I’ve spoken to the vast majority of our officers who used Naloxone during the pilot, and the common feedback is how much they welcome having Naloxone as a high profile part of their on-duty equipment.
“They’ve told me of cases where they were convinced the casualty was dead, as the person was cold and their pallor had changed, but they administered Naloxone to give the member of the public the best possible chance – and it rapidly reversed the respiratory suppression and saved their life.”
The lifesaving drug has so far been given to offices in seven divisions, including Ayrshire, Edinburgh and Glasgow, with the rollout set to be completed by early next year.
The hundredth incident occurred less than a week before Christmas at a Glasgow hotel, when officers were first on the scene and provided emergency assistance, including administering Naloxone to a woman.
Pc Nikki Pullar, based in Forth Valley, has used the drug while out on the beat to help save someone’s life.
She said: “Seeing the nasal spray having the effect we expected it to, and the incident I was involved with having a positive outcome, really reassures me about carrying it.
“It’s a valuable part of our kit and I’m glad I have it to hand as I go about my duties to help people in a medical emergency.”
And Pc Paul Gunderson, who works in Edinburgh City division, used the drug on the first day he was issued with the nasal spray after seeing someone with the classic overdose symptoms of pin-point pupils, clammy skin and raspy breathing.
He said: “My colleague and I saw how quickly the Naloxone made a difference and we were pleased the person’s condition had vastly improved by the time an ambulance arrived on scene.”
In three of the four incidents where there was not a positive outcome officers suspected the individual was already dead. However, they administered Naloxone to give the casualty every possible chance at recovery.
The individual in the fourth incident did not regain consciousness, and later died in hospital.
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