Bristol police are facing a frustrating delay in training officers to carry naloxone, an antidote for opioid overdoses, due to health concerns.
Bristol: There’s been a bit of a hiccup in getting police officers trained to carry naloxone, the lifesaving antidote for opioid overdoses. Apparently, some health and safety concerns from the higher-ups at Avon and Somerset Police are holding things up.
Naloxone is a crucial medication that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, like those from heroin. It can be given through a syringe or a nasal spray, and it really can save lives while waiting for paramedics.
Like many big cities, Bristol is seeing a rise in drug-related deaths. Just recently, the public health policy committee at Bristol City Council got an update on the situation.
Superintendent Mark Runacres, who leads the Bristol police, mentioned that they were among the first to let officers and PCSOs carry naloxone if they wanted to. It’s important to note that this was voluntary for the officers.
He expressed his frustration about the delay, saying it’s been stuck in the health and safety board. There have been mixed opinions on medical advice and concerns about liability for officers using naloxone.
Runacres explained that the latest issue is about ensuring that the training includes other emergency health interventions. Officers need to know that naloxone isn’t the only thing they should do in an emergency.
He reassured everyone that the training already covers this, but they need to go back to the health and safety board for approval to move forward.
Currently, around 200 officers in Avon and Somerset are equipped with naloxone, and Runacres is hopeful that number will grow once training kicks back in. Other police forces are also carrying naloxone, which helps ease safety worries.
He added that the officers who already have naloxone can still use it; it’s just the expansion of the program that’s on hold.
With drug-related deaths on the rise in Bristol, similar to other major English cities, the latest stats show 59 deaths in 2023. This is a serious issue that needs addressing.
Julie Northcott from the council pointed out that Bristol’s rates have increased, but they’re not alone in this. Other cities like Glasgow and Birmingham have even higher numbers.
Last year, about 4,000 adults were in treatment for drug issues in Bristol, and that number is climbing. This is partly due to a new approach to coordinating public services and making it easier for people to get help.
Runacres noted that Bristol has a high number of opiate users, which adds to the risk. Last year, over 1,000 drug offenses were recorded in the city, including possession and trafficking.
