What safeguards are in place?

Police Scotland has a duty of care towards all citizens of our country. When thinking about individuals in need of emergency first aid, Police Scotland recognises the public expectation and obligation to save life.

From a human rights perspective, Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 is the ‘Right to Life’. By employing a human rights based approach to address social harm, the administering of Naloxone by officers to people who have overdosed should be recognised as a first aid response to preserve life.

This legal duty is also detailed within the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012.

In Section 32 ‘policing principles’ – The main purpose of policing is to improve the safety and well-being of persons, localities and communities in Scotland; and in Section 20 ‘general duties’ – It is the duty of a constable to prevent and detect crime; to maintain order; and to protect life and property.

Last year, Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick MSP noted; “Across Scotland, and probably particularly in rural areas, police will be the first people to come across someone who is experiencing an overdose”.

The World Health Organisation state; “any person that is likely to come into contact with a person who is likely to overdose, should carry naloxone” and have listed police as one of the emergency services likely to come into contact with such a person.

The chair of the Scottish Government Drug Deaths Taskforce, Professor Catriona Matheson applauded the Test of Change pilot; “Well done to Police Scotland for its ambition to contribute positively to addressing Scotland’s dreadful levels of drug-related deaths”.