Bobbies in West Midlands to be the first to carry out life-saving drug treatment

The inaugural initiative, which is being led by West Midlands Police, will see officers trained to use medicine naloxone in drug-related overdose incidents.

It comes after a report from West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson revealed someone dies from drug poisoning in the region every three days in the region.

Chief Inspector Jane Bailey, the force’s drug lead, said: “This is a really innovative and exciting initiative as we continue to tackle the issue of drugs and offer help and support to those at risk from drug overdoses.

“Officers will be able to instantly administer the life-saving drug should they come across anyone experiencing an opiate overdose while out and about in the city - a sight which has sadly been experienced by officers who have had to call for paramedics to assist others under the influence of controlled drugs.

“While this is not about trying to interfere with the fantastic work of our ambulance colleagues, who of course would still attend and deal with the patient, it’s about being able to offer the initial fast aid and help save a life.

“We also hope that this intervention can assist people with taking steps to get support from our specialist drug agency colleagues in an effort to turn their lives around."

Naloxone is the emergency antidote for overdoses caused by heroin and other opiates such as methadone, morphine and fentanyl.

Potentially life-threatening effects of the drugs, which include slowing down and stopping breathing, can be blocked by naloxone as it reverses breathing difficulties temporarily.

Use of naloxone was recommended by Mr Jamieson in February following his report which found the annual cost of drugs on public services across the region is estimated to be £1.4 billion.

Mr Jamieson said: “This is a key part of my approach to tackling the harm drugs and I am proud that we are leading the way in the West Midlands.

"We should treat addiction as a health issue, rather than purely as an enforcement issue.

“Police officers are often the first on the scene when there is an overdose. By providing officers training to use naloxone we could be saving lives in the West Midlands."

The voluntary training will be rolled out to officers working in Birmingham city centre, where rough sleeping and street drug use is highest - with the force keen to roll it out further.