Why is Naloxone used in policing?

In 2020, the number of drug misuse deaths in Scotland increased by 5% compared to the previous year (1,264 in 2019 to 1,339 in 2020) . 87% of these deaths were related to opioid overdose. This figure represents the highest number since records began in 1996, and is double the amount of deaths 10 years prior (in 2009, 545 drug-related deaths were recorded). To address this, the Scottish Government launched the National Drugs Deaths Mission and Drugs Deaths Taskforce, now known as National Drugs Mission Oversight Group.

To address the impact of drug related deaths, other countries such as the USA and Australia have equipped first responders (who are not healthcare professionals) with Naloxone. Police officers can often be first responders in situations where an individual has overdosed.

One of the duties of a constable under section 20(1) of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 is to protect life.  Section 32, which sets out the policing principles, provides that the main purpose of policing is to improve the safety and wellbeing of persons, localities and communities in Scotland.  These provisions are consistent with the "right to life" under article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which was incorporated into UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998.

Recognising these legal obligations and the impact of significant rates of drug deaths in Scotland, Police Scotland  established the Naloxone Delivery Steering Group in March 2020. This followed a proposal for a Test of Change (ToC) exercise for the carriage of Naloxone by officers.