Overdose reversing spray introduced as cases rise

The nasal spray works to reverse the effects of a drug on the central nervous and respiratory systems

Police officers are being trained to use a medical nasal spray designed to be a "vital lifeline" for drug overdoses.

Northamptonshire Police neighbourhood officers across Northampton, Wellingborough and Kettering have been trained to carry the naloxone spray.

Naloxone is used as an antidote for overdoses of opiates and opioids including heroin and reverses the effects of the drugs on the central nervous and respiratory systems.

Det Supt Steve Watkins said: "We are encountering more drug overdose victims, in part due to the proliferation in the use of highly dangerous synthetic drugs."

The spray is used to stop a drug affecting the body and buys valuable time to keep the individual alive while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Northamptonshire Police are working with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and the charity Change Grow Live on the pilot scheme and officers can volunteer to take part.

Det Supt Steve Watkins says naloxone offers "a vital lifeline"

'Prevent a person dying'

Det Supt Steve Watkins, who is leading the project, says equipping officers with the spray will prevent drug-related deaths from synthetic opioids.

"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 police say they are getting more cases involving highly dangerous synthetic drugs

He said the spray is already being used by other emergency services including ambulances crews.

"We’re training a number of our frontline officers to use the spray, which can be used to counteract the effects of the overdose and prevent a person from dying, pending emergency medical support from ambulance."

When the pilot has finished, the force will look at whether or not to continue equipping officers with the spray.