Northants police officers to be armed with potentially life-saving nasal spray
It's under a pilot scheme in operation in Northampton, Wellingborough and Kettering.
Last updated 29th Aug 2024
A number of Northamptonshire Police officers are being trained in the use of Naloxone – a medical nasal spray designed to save lives of people who have suffered a drug overdose.
Neighbourhood officers working on the Operation Revive programme in Northampton, Wellingborough and Kettering, will now be carrying the spray, having been trained and certified in its use.
The nasal spray is an emergency antidote for overdoses caused by heroin and other opiates or opioids. The medication works by temporarily reversing the effects of the overdose by reversing the depression of the central nervous and respiratory systems.
In 2005, Naloxone was added to a list of medicines that anyone can legally administer in an emergency to save a life. Since February 2019, Naloxone has been available in a pre-packaged nasal spray.
The spray delivers Naloxone up the nose where it is quickly absorbed and blocks the drug from affecting the body. Carrying of Naloxone by officers is voluntary and full training will be provided to all officers who sign up to the scheme.
Detective Superintendent Steve Watkins, who is leading the project, said the spray had been successfully a number of forces including others across the East Midlands region.
He said:
“Sadly, we are encountering more drug overdose victims, in part due to the proliferation in the use of highly dangerous synthetic drugs.
“Naloxone gives frontline officers an opportunity to administer a vital lifeline to users who have overdosed on heroin or heroin cut with synthetic drugs."
“The spray is already being used by ambulance crews and other partners in the county, with the move to equip our police officers with the spray providing further opportunities to prevent drug-related deaths."