Police issued with lifesaving medicine to reverse a drug overdose

By Q Radio News

There's controversy today after it emerged some police officers have been issued with medicine that can reverse a drug overdose.

A pilot scheme has shown three lives have been saved as a result of using the nasal spray called Naloxone.

However, the Police Federation says officers are not medics, and while they will do everything to save lives, they should not be expected to ‘lift the slack’ because of gaps in other public services

The Chairman of the Police Federation has questioned the move saying officers "should not have to do the job of paramedics."

Mark Lindsay said: “This isn’t an issue of trying to save someone’s life.

''It’s what happens whenever it goes wrong, and perhaps someone dies.

''In that situation, the individual officer is left in the invidious position of being investigated, perhaps for many years, with the possibility of being reported for prosecution. 

“There are significant risks that must be addressed.

''We are police officers first and foremost.

''We’re not medics.

“It is also an example of the police covering shortcomings in other public services.

''We don’t think a trial should be taking place.

''We don’t think officers should be placed in that position. 

“However, I am aware that the frontline officers who come across this on a daily basis want to do their best to save lives, so we will continue to work with them and the Service to ensure that a strong and workable solution to opioid overdosing is found.”

There's controversy today after it emerged some police officers have been issued with medicine that can reverse a drug overdose.https://t.co/eUNnaQ8c1f

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 3, 2021

(Mark Lindsay)