The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, has successfully expanded the rollout of Naloxone training force-wide, fulfilling a promise to further the use of this life-saving medication.
Naloxone is a nasal spray that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose from drugs such as heroin, methadone, morphine, and fentanyl. It can provide crucial time until specialist paramedics arrive.
Thanks to the PCC’s efforts, 280 neighbourhood and response officers are now trained to carry and administer Naloxone.
“West Midlands Police became the first force in the country to pilot the use of Naloxone. Since then, 28 other forces across England and Wales have followed suit. I’ve been keen to continue to expand the use of Naloxone by officers across the West Midlands for several years. So, I’m delighted to hear the feedback from officers who have volunteered to carry this life-saving medication on our streets. This latest expansion will save lives and deliver on my pledge to reduce avoidable deaths from drug use right across the region,” said Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.
Training has been extended beyond Solihull to six other local areas: Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.
“The training has been received really well from my team. Officers have been really enthusiastic about wanting to take on the training. It’s something we’ve been hoping to get back for quite a while as it’s really beneficial for us. We join to make a difference and this is an area where we can really make a difference because most of the time we’re on scene first and, if we can get that help delivered to people before other emergency colleagues arrive, then brilliant,” said Sergeant Emily Dooley from the Solihull police team.
This week, Naloxone training was delivered to officers by former drug addict Benjamin Smith. An addict for 22 years, Benjamin now works for Solihull Integrated Addiction Services and shares his experiences and the signs of an overdose with the officers.
“This is vital, especially with the synthetic opioids that are currently in circulation. The use of Naloxone – especially with police who are the emergency service that can come across overdoses on a day-to-day basis – is saving lives in the community which is important. The feedback from officers has been receptive. The officers are really, really keen. They get into that job to help people and Naloxone is key to that. It’s so vital,” said Benjamin Smith.
