MINISTER MARKS INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd has praised the Scottish Ambulance Service’s successful Take Home Naloxone (THN) programme, which has now issued more than 4,000 kits.
On a visit to Springburn Ambulance Station in Glasgow to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, Ms Todd was trained to use naloxone kits which temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
The packs are given out to people at risk and their families who can use them to deal with any future overdose while they wait for the ambulance to arrive.
Since Scotland’s National Naloxone Programme began in 2011, up to December 2024, a total of 205,650 take-home naloxone kits have been issued.
Ms Todd said: “Every drug death is a tragedy, and my condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one, on a day where we remember them.
“The work done by the Scottish Ambulance Service and other partners has been instrumental in saving lives, especially at a time when naloxone has become even more important. I am a grateful for the hard work of all the staff who provide this vital frontline service. I was very pleased to hear about the continued progress in delivery and to be shown how to use the naloxone kits.
“Due to the presence of an increasingly unpredictable drug supply of highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which raise the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death, I would urge anyone who carries naloxone to have extra life-saving kits with them so repeat doses can be given if required.
“I am determined to do even more to tackle the harm caused by drugs. That’s why we are providing record levels of funding for drugs and alcohol programmes, including widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone. We have also supported and funded the opening of the UK’s first Safer Drug Consumption Facility, and are working at pace to deliver drug-checking facilities.”
All SAS crews have been trained in in distributing naloxone since 2023, following the launch of its training programme in 2021. As well as treating people for the effects of overdose themselves, and handing out the take-home kits, crews are providing a vital link to support and treatment.
Scottish Ambulance Service CEO Michael Dickson said: “Our staff respond with care and compassion to anyone who experiences an overdose.
“Our call handlers can offer advice during the 999 call, and our ambulance clinicians provide crucial treatment when they arrive at the scene.
“Ambulance crews are able to supply Take Home Naloxone, are starting to provide clean sterile injecting equipment, and can also connect people experiencing problematic substance use with other services who can provide further care and treatment.”
The national roll-out of Naloxone to Police Scotland’s operational officers has been officially completed yesterday (Thursday, 31 August, 2023) on International Overdose Awareness Day.
The programme to issue overdose reversal kits to all constables, sergeants and inspectors began exactly a year ago, and around 12,500 officers are now trained and equipped with individual pouches to be worn as part of standard issue equipment.
Naloxone is an emergency first aid treatment to reverse a potentially life-threatening opioid/opiate-related drug overdose by countering the suppression of the respiratory system.
Police Scotland officers have now used Naloxone on at least 325 occasions and across all 13 geographical policing divisions.
Administrations have occurred when officers have come across people in crisis while on duty, been flagged down by members of the public, during warrant executions, while attending a siege situation and in Custody departments, as well as in concern for person calls when an individual was intending to complete suicide.
The Scottish Government’s Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, Elena Whitham, today met Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie, who led the Naloxone programme, along with two officers who’ve administered Naloxone while on duty.
ACC Ritchiesaid: “Police Scotland is committed to doing all we can to combat the insidious effects of drugs in our society, from both an enforcement perspective and also while taking a public health approach to preventing harm.
“Naloxone is part of that public health approach. We’ve had positive outcomes in the overwhelming majority of incidents, and I am in no doubt that by doing so, our officers have saved lives.
“I very much hope that by officers carrying it in a highly visible manner, it will encourage other people to learn about Naloxone, and consider carrying it themselves.
“We continue to work in partnership with members of the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and other partners at local, national and international level to stop drugs from reaching our communities on a daily basis.
“As a result, we have an extremely strong record in dismantling serious and organised crime gangs, and bringing to justice those responsible for preying on the most vulnerable members of society by pedalling death and misery.”
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whithamsaid: “I want to thank Police Scotland for the incredible job they do every day to help keep people safe. The roll-out of Naloxone training has no doubt resulted in many lives being saved.
“Naloxone is one of a wide range of measures being used to address the public health emergency of drugs deaths, but it plays an important role and allows those supplying the kits to connect people who use drugs and their families with appropriate local services.
“Of course, we want to help people long before they get to the point of a life-threatening overdose.
“We are taking action now to save and improve lives with an evidence-based approach – implementing policies that we know work to reduce harm and deaths from drugs and focusing on getting people into support and treatment.
“We are investing a total of £250 million in our National Mission on drugs over the course of this Parliament and have already supported 300 grass-roots projects. We’ll continue to expand and improve access to residential rehabilitation and drive MAT Standards implementation where recent research found substantial progress had been made with more people getting treatment.”
PC Jenna Minshull works in Greater Glasgow division and has administered Naloxone twice since starting to carry it as part of the test of change.
PC Minshull said: “I was on foot patrol in Glasgow city centre with a colleague when a member of the public came towards us. They were really unsteady on their feet and slurring their words. They slumped to the ground and we were obviously concerned for their welfare so I called 999.
“The casualty’s breathing became shallow and when they became unresponsive we were advised to administer our Naloxone.
“I gave one dose of the intra-nasal spray, and after a few minutes I gave a second dose. The casualty’s condition improved and soon after the ambulance crew arrived and took over the patient’s care.
“My colleague left the patient with a card explaining they’d been given Naloxone by the police.
“I’m confident to use the Naloxone kits, particularly as they’re a spray and so easy to administer. It’s reassuring to know you can’t overdose on it or do anyone any harm by giving them it. I’d certainly far rather have it to hand to use if needs be than potentially see someone potentially die if I didn’t have it.”
Left to right: PC Jenna Minshull, Superintendent Pat Murphy, Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy Elena Whitham, Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie, PC Scott Lisett.
Council Leader Cammy Day spoke of the importance of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) at yesterday’s full council meeting.
IOAD takes place on 31 August each year to create better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use. Today we look at what an overdose means, how you can prevent it and where to find out more information and support.
This year’s theme is ‘Recognising those who go unseen’ honouring the people whose lives have been altered by overdose. They are the family and friends grieving the loss of a loved one, workers in healthcare and support services extending strength and compassion, or spontaneous first responders who selflessly assume the role of lifesaver.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “As we mark International Overdose Awareness Day today, I am conscious of the fact that for some of our residents this will be their first year living with the loss of a loved one through overdose. Each and every death we see is a tragedy and behind all of these are individual stories.
“Unfortunately, this has been a persistent issue for Scotland for a number of years with our national drug death rate continuing to be the highest in the UK and Europe. Too many people are dying prematurely across our country, with events like International Overdose Awareness Day we can raise awareness of the help and support available to those with substance issues.
“I am clear that the Council will closely support our partners to bring these figures down here in Edinburgh.”
Below is a list of services here in Edinburgh which specialise in dealing with issues around drugs and alcohol:
The Harm reduction team provide information and training on how to use the take-home kits, and list pharmacies across the city that supply free naloxone.
The Edinburgh Alcohol and Drugs Partnership has a directory of services to help you find the most appropriate support or recovery activity. The ARC 2.0 app is the Addiction Recovery Companion, which can help you find local facilities and support groups. They also have supportive services that family, friends or other people close to those who have overdosed can use.
Crew 2000 is a harm reduction charity based in the city centre. Their mission is to reduce drug and sexual health related harms and stigma, improving mental and physical health without judgement.
