Police carriage of naloxone process evaluation - monitoring data

Product Description

Naloxone is a life-saving drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and is vital to preventing drug-related deaths. In part 2 of Dame Carol Black’s independent review of drugs focusing on prevention, treatment and recovery, increasing access to naloxone was described as a vital harm reduction measure that will save lives.

Due to police officers’ and police community support officers’ (PCSO) frequent interactions with vulnerable individuals at risk of overdose during their patrol duties, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has advocated for naloxone provision among police forces. They have supported its carriage by providing guidance and advice to police forces. This has been endorsed by The Home Office, the Joint Combating Drugs Unit, and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). Naloxone provides a recognised, effective means to enable first aiders to keep a person alive while awaiting the arrival of an ambulance.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, where a police force has offered naloxone to police officers and staff, the decision to carry is voluntarily. In Scotland, carriage is mandatory for all types of frontline officers and inspectors, but use is voluntary.