Frontline police officers in Cumbria are being equipped with a life-saving antidote to help prevent fatal opioid overdoses.
Over 300 patrol officers and neighbourhood policing teams, including PCSOs are being trained to use the nasal spray naxolone.
Cumbria Constabulary said it wanted 700 officers trained within a year.
There were 72 drugs-related deaths in Cumbria in 2022, the latest figures available.
The antidote works on opioids including heroin, methadone, opium, codeine and morphine.
One person has already benefited from the antidote in Whitehaven.
A man had taken substances about 20 minutes before coming into contact with police on an unrelated matter and became unresponsive as the officer spoke to him.
The officer administered naloxone before the arrival of paramedics, who took over at that point. The man made a full recovery.
Temporary Detective Superintendent Andy Myers has overseen the move to have officers trained in its use.
He said: “Our officers are quite often the first people at the scene of an emergency, so it makes sense for them to be able to administer this antidote if it involves this type of life-threatening incident.
“If the officer discovers a suspected opioid overdose they will still immediately request an ambulance so that medical professionals can be on the scene as quickly as possible.
“But it makes sense for trained officers to be able to administer this antidote where appropriate to buy more time for a medical response.
“If administered within 15 minutes of an overdose, the depressive effects of the drug can be reversed and a life may be saved.
“They will remain with the casualty until the arrival of a suitable health care professional.”
Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped.
Training consists of a short session as part of general first aid training.
T/Det Supt Myers added: “We want this to be seen as part of a wider set of life-saving first aid measures.
“For instance, people wouldn’t be surprised to know our officers may use a defibrillator on a member of the public who had collapsed with a suspected heart attack – and this should be no different.
“As always, we would urge those who are using or considering using substances that can cause overdose to consider the potential consequences of their actions.
“Taking drugs can prove to be fatal and ruins lives.
“There is support out there for people affected and I’d encourage people to access the support that services such as Recovery Steps Cumbria can provide.”
Funding for the initiative has come from both Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council, following work with the force.
Funding provided 800 naloxone nasal sprays and carriage pouches with extra funding in place to cover replacements.
This funding was supplied to deliver work carried out through the county’s multi-agency Combating Drugs Partnership.
This partnership is chaired by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen. He said: “Naloxone is a life-saving antidote so I’m really pleased that after appropriate training police officers can now carry this.
“The Combating Drugs Partnership was put in place to tackle drug-related crime and reduce drug-related harm – the provision of naloxone is one of the steps which allows us to achieve this goal.
“I’m sure our officers hope never to be in a situation where they have to use the antidote, but I’m pleased that we have officers that are trained and prepared if they are ever put in the position and need to save a life.
“Historically, our frontline officers’ primary remit is to protect life – that hasn’t changed and this latest addition to the police first aid arsenal helps significantly with this.
“The main cause of premature death among people who use controlled drugs in the UK is a drug overdose, so it is incredibly important that we reduce this where possible.
“I look forward to continuing my work with the Combating Drugs Partnership to reduce drug related crime and harm in the county.”
The initial training for Cumbria Constabulary’s own training staff and officers was provided by HumanKind, now called Waythrough, an organisation aiming to reduce deprivation and exclusion and to improve people’s wellbeing.
The support service provided this training with no charge. Cumbria Constabulary’s own staff are providing in-house training.
Becky White, Area Manager at Recovery Steps Cumbria, the county’s drug and alcohol support service, said: “There were 72 drug-related deaths across Cumbria in 2022. Our service works hard every day to ensure further deaths from drugs are prevented. But we can only reach more people who need support by collaborating effectively with our partners.
“This commitment from Cumbria police to equip officers with naloxone nasal spray will play a key part in saving many people’s lives across our county and should be seen as an example of best practice nationally.
“I want to thank them for their positive engagement with our team’s vital naloxone training offer. It’s essential that all services in contact with people who use opiates are trained and supplied with naloxone.
“I also want to emphasise that if you or someone close to you uses drugs, you are not alone and you are important. We are here to support you. Please reach out to us.”
Signs that someone may be having an overdose are:
- Reduced consciousness
- Seizures
- Difficulty breathing (long pauses between breaths compared to normal)
- Snoring/raspy breathing
- Blue or pale lips, fingers or toes
- Pale, cold and clammy skin
If you are worried someone you are with may be overdosing, try to stay calm, stay with the person, ring 999 immediately and follow instructions given to you.
