Almost two-thirds of Scotland’s ambulance clinicians have been
trained in supplying Take-Home Naloxone (THN) to people who may
witness an overdose.
The roll-out of Take-Home Naloxone, which can reverse the effects
of an opioid overdose, is being overseen by three Scottish
Ambulance Service (SAS) Drug Harm Reduction Leads covering the
North, East and West of Scotland, funded by the Drug Deaths
Taskforce. This is an extension of the Scottish Government’s
existing Naloxone Programme.
A total of 65% of crews are now giving THN kits to people who
have been resuscitated following an accidental overdose or family
and friends who may have to administer Naloxone in the future.
The remainder of the clinicians will be trained through the
second half of 2021. Around 80 kits are currently being supplied
to those at risk and their families every month. These kits can
be used at any future overdose while waiting for the ambulance to
arrive.
SAS is also working closely with health boards, treatment
services and people with lived and living experience to connect
people who use drugs with appropriate support services.
Meeting the three Harm Reduction Leads in Glasgow, Minister for
Drugs Policy said:
“I want to thank the Scottish Ambulance Service for the amazing
job they do every day to save lives. The roll-out of Naloxone
training has no doubt resulted in many lives being saved.
“Naloxone is one of a wide range of measures being used to
address the public health emergency of drugs deaths, but it plays
an important role and allows those supplying the kits to connect
people who use drugs and their families with appropriate local
services.
“Of course, we want to help people long before they get to the
point of a life-threatening overdose. We are working hard to
increase the number of people in treatment and £4 million is
going specifically towards the implementation of the new MAT
(Medication Assisted Treatment) standards which ensure everyone
has access to the support which works best for them. Same day
support will begin to be rolled out from this autumn with all of
the standards in place by April next year.
“Over the next five years we will spend £250 million on
addressing this crisis and I am determined that every penny of
this additional funding will make a difference to all those
affected by drug use in Scotland.”
SAS Drug Harm Reduction Lead for West Region Lauren Sloey said:
“The Scottish Ambulance Service has a presence in every community
in Scotland, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Due to the
demand from patients experiencing overdose from drug use across
our communities, and reflecting our unique reach into people’s
homes, we are focused on what we can do to positively influence a
reduction in drug deaths across Scotland.
“As well as supplying Take Home Naloxone at the point of
non-fatal overdose, SAS is also connecting individuals directly
with support and treatment services at the point they need it the
most, turning our emergency responses into continuous care
pathways for people who use drugs. This has the potential to
benefit not only the individual but wider family and friends to
optimise their health and wellbeing."
SAS Patient Safety Manager Gary Rutherford said:
“We are pleased to welcome to the Service our three new Clinical
Effectiveness Leads for Drug Harm Reduction, who each have
significant experience of working within drug support and
treatment services. They are playing a vital part in the roll-out
of our national programme to ensure all ambulance clinicians are
trained to supply Take Home Naloxone to anyone likely to witness
at overdose.
“We’re also increasing our partnership working with health
boards, and drug treatment and support services, as engagement
with these services is a proven protective factor in reducing
drug deaths. Together we can ensure we’re focused on saving lives
and positively improving health and wellbeing across Scotland.”
