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2. Perceived Barriers to Contacting Emergency Services
RECOMMENDATION 2
Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland ( ACPOS) and the Scottish Executive should jointly explore ways in which contact with the police can be used as an opportunity to intervene with vulnerable individuals in order to prevent future drug-related deaths. In particular, the Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) between ACPOS and the Scottish Ambulance Service should be reviewed in order to ensure that, in the event of an overdose, help is available as quickly as possible. The police attending the scene of an overdose should ensure that preservation of life should take precedence. |
The Executive has consulted ACPOS and the Scottish Ambulance Service and supports an updated MOU.
The ACPOS drugs strategy supports the concept of harm reduction. Arrest referral schemes and needle exchange facilities in custody suites are evidence of police commitment in this area. ACPOS works in partnership with the Scottish Executive's communication strategy to increase knowledge and awareness.
There is scope to expand the role of the police in engaging an otherwise hard to reach group, vulnerable to drug-related death, by using police to facilitate contact with other service providers.
The National Investigation into Drug-related Deaths in Scotland, 2003 found that although police attended 90% of the scenes of overdose they undertook no activity in 87% of cases. In 5% of cases they were called to obtain access to premises and in 10 cases they performed Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation ( CPR). In some areas e.g. Highland region, the police often arrive first at the scene and can administer first-aid which may prevent an unnecessary death.
ACPOS has confirmed that the police always ensure that preservation of life takes precedence at scenes of overdose.
TAKING ACTION
- The MOU between ACPOS and the Scottish Ambulance Service will be reviewed annually in October. The review will take account of practice elsewhere in the UK, including Greater Manchester via the Association of Chief Police Officers ( ACPO) Drugs Committee in London. Crown Office views will also be sought.
- Information from all Scottish forces on police attendance at incidents of overdose is being collated by the Secretariat of the ACPOS Drugs Sub-Committee, based at the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency ( SDEA).
- The SDEA National Drug Co-ordinator ( NDC) sits on the Arrest Referral Research Advisory Group. Research findings will inform Ministerial decisions on the future of arrest referral.
- The Executive has been providing contributory or full funding to six pilot Arrest Referral ( AR) schemes across Scotland since early 2004. A 12-month external evaluation of the six pilot AR schemes commenced in March this year and is expected to report early in 2006. The evaluation will consider the process and practices of the different schemes; how AR relates to other existing disposals and interventions for drug misusers; and what, if any, impact the schemes have had on arrestees referred into services.
- The NDC chairs the Force Drug Co-ordinators' Forum, and co-ordinates activities of all police forces in Scotland in terms of demand and harm reduction.
- ACPOS will continue to work closely with KTS to ensure local activity complements national communication campaigns.
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