Argyll police complete roll-out of life-saving drug-overdose spray

Argyll police officers are being equipped with a medicine which could help to reverse overdoses of some drugs. Naloxone is being given to officers across Scotland, and a report to a council committee has revealed that almost all police in Argyll and West Dunbartonshire have been equipped with it.

The medicine can help to reverse overdoses of opioid drugs, which include heroin. The report was due to go before Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond community planning group at its meeting on Tuesday (May 9). The report said: “The roll-out of naloxone to our officers across Argyll and West Dunbartonshire is nearly complete. The intra-nasal sprays can reverse life-threatening opioid-related overdoses, and are being issued to all constables, sergeants and inspectors across Scotland to supplement their existing extensive first aid training. “Nearly 450 officers now have access to these sprays, carried in pouches for easy access. Officers complete an online course before receiving the first aid equipment. “Since officers in Scotland started to carry naloxone, it has been administered 128 times (correct as of February 24), with positive outcomes on all but five of the incidents.”

The report also detailed the work of the police’s youth engagement officer, including a large new intake for the force’s youth volunteer scheme.

It said: “Our youth engagement officer continues to make excellent progress with younger people in the area through engagement and education.

“This has included the start-up of the local Police Scotland youth volunteer group in Helensburgh with 26 new youth volunteers with at least 25 per cent being from a vulnerable background. “All local primary received inputs and at the end of the sessions, young people were able to take part in the annual Rotary poster competition. School presentations on road safety and water safety have also been provided.”