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Police officers will carry an emergency antidote to treat drug overdose victims as part of a pilot project.
Naloxone nasal spray counteracts the effects of opioid overdoses such as heroin.
Viewed as first aid treatment, it can provide additional time for ambulance service to arrive and take over emergency medical treatment.
The trial, which will take place over six months in Glasgow East, Falkirk and Dundee, is being introduced in response to the rise in drug-related deaths in Scotland.
The latest figures available show there were 1,187 drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2018, the highest number since records began in 1996.
Deputy Chief of Police Gary Ritchie, Scotland Police Chief of Drug Strategy, said: “It has been very carefully considered whether our officers should carry Naloxone as additional equipment and consultations have been conducted with a variety of partners through the Steering Group. of Naloxone Delivery.
“In doing so, the test bed areas are expected to show the value of our officers taking this treatment as an extension to the extensive existing first aid training the organization already provides.
“We are committed to being proactive in our approach to addressing the problem of drug use in our communities through harm reduction, as well as dispelling myths while maintaining our spirit of keeping people safe in our local areas.”
He added: “This is one of the most important evidence of change projects in modern policing in Scotland and could have a significant impact on the communities we serve.
“A full evidence-based evaluation of the proof of change will be produced to inform any future decisions on whether naloxone will be implemented for all officers.”
Figures from the Scottish National Registries indicate that opiates / opioids were implicated or a possible contributing factor in 86% of drug-related deaths in 2018.
The transport of naloxone will be voluntary, but all front-line officers with rank of police, sergeant and inspector within the pilot areas will be required to complete a training and education session.
After the session, which will provide instructions on how to use the spray, officers will be asked to decide if they want to bring naloxone and participate in the pilot project.
If they do, they will be provided personal supplies of naloxone.
An estimated 700 officers will be trained to participate in the scheme, with training expected to begin in early 2021.
Scotland’s police said they have driven the pilot project as a result of ongoing work with third sector organizations and groups as part of a “holistic and sustainable approach” to addressing problems related to problematic drug use in Scotland.
However, David Hamilton, Chairman of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), said: “The SPF remains completely opposed to the transport or administration of naloxone by police officers.
“The number of drug deaths in Scotland is a health calamity in need of urgent attention, but sticky plaster initiatives like these divert resources to address the underlying problem.
“As the details of this pilot have developed, it is becoming increasingly clear that this is a public relations exercise and has nothing to do with saving lives.
“No one in the UK has died as a result of a police officer not carrying Naloxone; however, people have died as a result of the administration of Naloxone.
“The extent of the role of a police officer is a slippery slope and many now might justly wonder why we don’t carry ladders and hoses or even adrenaline, where more impactful life-saving interventions could be made.
“Finally, introducing this pilot in areas where Covid level three restrictions are needed to combat high infection in the community shows a nonchalant disregard for the health and safety of our police officers.”
