Increasing the distribution of Naloxone, with the aim of reducing the number of fatal drug related overdoses, is one of the main priorities of the national Drug Death Task Force
City Council staff are invited to volunteer to learn how to administer a life-saving medicine to counter a suspected opioid drug overdose.
The staff governance committee agreed unanimously for frontline staff working in identified priority geographical areas to be able to access the Naloxone kits for either them or the public to administer.
Naloxone is a safe and easily administered medication which can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is not a controlled substance and has no effect on anyone who has not taken opioid drugs.
Article 7 of the Medicines Act states that anyone can administer Naloxone for the purpose of saving a life and ACC have been administering it since 2014 in services which support homeless people.
The City Council will implement a “test of change” within identified priority geographical areas to increase Naloxone kits distributed to members of the public via council services, increase the number of employees able to access the kits for distribution, and seek volunteers from staff working in priority areas to undertake training to administer it to individuals suspected of drug overdose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Increasing the distribution of Naloxone, with the aim of reducing the number of fatal drug related overdoses, is one of the main priorities of the national Drug Death Task Force. This is also recognised through the priorities of Community Planning Aberdeen and the City’s Alcohol and Drugs Partnership
In addition to staff in ACC’s homeless service being trained, housing staff have also been trained to distribute Naloxone and raise their awareness of the drug, although none have yet been trained to administer it. A total of 14 staff within the housing access and support service have been trained through ‘train the trainer’ and are now cascading this training further.
Locally provided, publicly facing council services are well placed to support vulnerable individuals and communities.
Volunteers are being sought from relevant staff groups to undertake training in the distribution and/or administration of Naloxone and appropriate training will be provided with instruction from NHS partners. Trade union colleagues will also be involved so any questions, suggestions or concerns can be readily addressed.
Potential frontline workers who could be offered the opportunity to voluntarily undertake the training, working within the geographical areas highlighted, could include colleagues working particularly within early intervention and community empowerment such as libraries or housing staff, along with operational staff working in services such as waste or facilities management. Identification of appropriate staff groups will be undertaken with service managers, and volunteers then sought.
You must be logged in to post a comment.