News > Supporting Staffordshire Police with nasal naloxone

STaRS, Inclusion’s drug and alcohol treatment service in Staffordshire, have been supporting frontline officers at Staffordshire Police with the use of nasal naloxone.

Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids. Whilst naloxone can save someone’s life if it is used quickly after an overdose on opioids, it is not a substitute for calling an ambulance. Once the effects of naloxone wear off, the person will go back into overdose, which is why it is important to also seek emergency care.

Working with partners at Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we have provided training so that officers can intervene if they come across someone having an opioid overdose.

Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids. Whilst naloxone can save someone’s life if it is used quickly after an overdose on opioids, it is not a substitute for calling an ambulance. Once the effects of naloxone wear off, the person will go back into overdose, which is why it is important to also seek emergency care.

  • We are proud to be part of this initiative that supplies police officers (often the first responders in emergencies) with life-saving medication. Overdose deaths can be prevented; no one should have to experience the heartbreak of losing parents, children, or siblings. This project seeks to deliver essential knowledge and medication which helps to combat stigma and ultimately save lives.

    - Paul Weaver, Service Manager for STaRS

To carry naloxone an officer must complete training that is delivered by qualified medical professionals. Once trained the officer is then allowed to use the nasal spray on someone they believe is having an opioid overdose. If the person is not having an opioid overdose, it should have zero effect. Once the naloxone has been applied, the officer will always call for an ambulance for the patient to be assessed. Whilst the carrying of nasal naloxone will not be compulsory, Staffordshire Police have already had hundreds of officers express an interest in receiving the training.

T/Detective Superintendent, Phil Bryan, who is leading on the introduction of naloxone in Staffordshire, said:

“With this new capability, officers will help to save more lives. Naloxone is already in use in other British police forces and forces across the world, and is delivering really positive results. We have already had hundreds of officers sign up for the training and as we see examples of naloxone being used, I am sure even more will choose to carry it.”