Aberdeen City Councillors have been updated on progress with a potentially life-saving project aimed at helping front-line staff assist people suffering from the ill-effects of narcotic drugs overdose.
The Staff Governance Committee heard how the management of Naxolone - a safe and easily administered medication which can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose - was progressing since councillors approved, last April, the training of staff in providing the drug in emergency situations.
The Committee also instructed officers to continue to train and support staff in the distribution and administration of Naloxone, thus continuing to increase the availability of naloxone to all those within the city who may benefit from the life- saving intervention.
The Committee heard that to date, 72 staff volunteers have come forward to access the training which is provided by NHS Grampian and Alcohol and Drugs Action Aberdeen.
In addition, three entire Council teams – Homelessness, Housing and Justice Social Work are now set up to provide Naloxone to those at risk.
Committee Convener, Councillor Neil Copland, said: “It’s really heartening to know that so many volunteers from within our staff groups have come forward to train in the management of overdoses through the provision of Naloxone to the vulnerable.
“I am very pleased that we are able to extend the training programme and I would like to thank everyone involved in this partnership, including our trade unions and staff, who co-drafted the distribution and administration procedures along with NHS Grampian.”
Vice Convener, Councillor Gill Al-Samarai, said: “This is a really important piece of work with life-saving potential and I am pleased that we have agreed its continuation and extended its provision.
“My thanks to all the staff who have volunteered to participate and to the wider project members for all their great work so far.”
The availability of distribution sites will be increased initially in the five areas of the city with the highest recorded instances of drug related deaths – Torry, Hanover, City Centre, Ferryhill and Stockethill.