Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 58
58
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 207
Non-universal naloxone provision by English police forces creates a dangerous postcode lottery.
Conclusion
The efforts of UK police forces to roll out this life saving treatment is welcome. However, provision of naloxone across English forces is not universal, which risks creating a postcode lottery on the availability of this potentially life-saving treatment in England. Further, while we recognise the concerns of some officers to carrying naloxone, we conclude that the saving and preservation of life is too important, particularly when a person’s health is in a life-threatening condition due to overdose.
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepted, affirming support for naloxone availability but stating that carrying it is an operational decision for Chief Constables. The NPCC, with Home Office and OHID support, is working to address barriers and develop national guidance for police forces.
Paragraph Reference:
207
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The Government partially accepts this recommendation. As outlined in the Drug Strategy, the Government continues to support a range of evidence-based approaches to reduce the health-related harms of drug misuse, such as widening the availability of naloxone to prevent overdose deaths. We have increased the availability of naloxone, including naloxone nasal spray to prevent drug-related deaths and have committed to supporting local provision of a broader range of medicines including newer medicines such as long-acting buprenorphine injection. The decision to carry naloxone is an independent operational decision for Chief Constables and currently 18 of 43 forces carry naloxone. The National Police Chief’s Council, with support from the Home Office and OHID, is working to address the barriers presented to police forces on the carriage of naloxone, this includes developing a national guidance and cooperating with the Independent Office of Police Conduct and the Police Federation.