Administrations

The carriage of naloxone is mandatory for all officers, up to and including the rank of Inspector. The volume of administrations of naloxone has increased over the past few months as more officers are trained and equipped.   

There are currently 325 (as per 30 August 2023) recorded incidents at which naloxone has been administered. These encompass a wide variety of circumstances and locations with officers using 1 to 8 naloxone nasal sprays on individuals suffering from a suspected overdose. 

On all but 8 occasions, those who have been administered naloxone by officers have survived and either left with ambulance staff for further treatment or recovered sufficiently to leave the scene of their own accord, alone or in the company of others.

On the unfortunate occasions where an individual did not survive, these were in circumstances where the officers suspected the person was already deceased but administered naloxone in order to give them the best possible chance of survival. On one occasion, the individual died a number of weeks later, still within hospital, from unrelated and underlying health issues.

To date, no issues or concerns have been raised by officers, partners or the public regarding the police carriage and use of naloxone, regardless of the outcome. On each occasion of use, naloxone provided outcomes and reactions as anticipated and as established by medical research. 

Officers’ eagerness to be equipped with naloxone continues to be demonstrated by the number of requests received by the Unit to be equipped. This was further evidenced by the volume of officers completing their online training module well in advance of their requirement and operational necessity.

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs (SFAD) have reported a notable demand from serving officers looking to access naloxone in order that they can carry it as soon as they are trained.  This evidences the high level of commitment of officers to save lives and their belief in Police Scotland’s policy to equip all operational officers with naloxone. 

Whilst many officers embraced the programme from the outset, there was some reluctance across the organisation. The above attests to a change of culture throughout and an acceptance and adoption of this public health approach to their core duties.

Below are a small amount of testimonies gathered by the Unit.

Scottish Ambulance Service email:

“I work for the Ambulance service and attended an incident in Glasgow City Centre, where 2 police officers were 1st on scene. I didn’t catch their names however I was wondering if it was possible to contact them to pass on my thanks for their effective CPR that they were carrying out prior to our arrival. It is a testament to the individual officers for their good quality skills but also a credit to the training provided by Police Scotland to all officers. They also administered potentially life-saving doses of Naloxone which meant that by the time we arrived, the patient had a pulse.

I am under no illusion that without effective CPR and the administration of Naloxone, the outcome for the patient could have been very different.”

From Officers:

“I was delighted to be part of the pilot to carry Naloxone.  I found the training very easy to understand, and administering it even easier.  Since the training I have used Naloxone on several occasions, one of which will remain in my memory forever as I truly believed the female was deceased and could not be saved.  She was ice cold to touch and the colour of death, however knowing Naloxone could do no harm, without any sign of drug misuse around but her friend telling me she was known to take heroin, I administered Naloxone and could not believe the quick recovery of the female.  She went from being unconscious and not breathing with a very weak pulse to eventually walking and talking and we were able to safely deliver her into the care of ambulance paramedics, instead of investigating a death which I had wrongly presumed we were going to be dealing with.  It’s an extremely powerful little nasal spray which I am glad we now carry to help us carry out our job and potentially save a life.”

 “I joined the Police to help people and carrying this gives me that confidence that we have something that will help keep people safe.”

"It is amazing that such a small thing issued to an individual officer, can have such massive impact to the communities across Scotland.

Basically my experience of it was that I administered it to a male who appeared to be in the midst of an overdose. I administered the naloxone and was confident in doing so as a result of the naloxone training. The naloxone didn't have any effect on the male’s condition, however an ambulance was there within approximately 10 minutes of the first dose administered. The procedure was straightforward and despite the male not being in the midst of an opiate overdose, the naloxone had no adverse effects on the male and he was taken by Ambulance to hospital where he was admitted.”

 “Great idea to give officers the opportunity to carry this and make a difference to people who have overdosed.”

“My experience with using Naloxone was a positive one and I feel it is extremely beneficial for officers to carry it as it could save someone's life.”

 “I have only administered it on one occasion, and 8 doses were administered prior to arrival of paramedics. The individual ended up in intensive care for treatment and survived, which showed me how effective it can be in saving a life.”

 “I have used naloxone twice; the first we thought the man had passed away but he came round with one dose. The 2nd time we used 8 nasal sprays which bought the female time until the ambulance arrived and avoided the need for CPR.  I would not hesitate to use it again - a very simple and effective tool to help us with saving lives.”