Trial to Equip Officers with Potentially Life-saving Nasal Sprays

A trial to equip frontline officers with a simple to administer nasal spray that could save the life of someone suffering from an overdose has been launched.

The nasal naloxone spray is for use when someone is suffering from a suspected opiate overdose and temporarily reverses the effects of the drug.

A total of 100 trained response drivers from Intervention, Safer Neighbourhood Teams and Scorpion, who are based in Dacorum, Stevenage, Watford and Welwyn Hatfield, along with several colleagues from the Offender Management Department, have volunteered to take part in the six-month trial.

T/Chief Inspector Jason Keane, who is overseeing the project, said: ‘These small nasal sprays are just another tool in our trauma kit to help us when responding to an emergency incident and in cases where we arrive at the scene before the ambulance service.

‘The reversal effects are temporary so do not negate the requirement for an ambulance as further medical treatment will be required. The ambulance service will also continue to provide their highest level of response to these types of incidents.

‘Reassuringly there are no side effects if the nasal spray is administered to someone who officers believe is suffering an opiate overdose, but it later transpires is experiencing a different medical condition.’

Those taking part in the trial have received specialist training through a partnership with the charity Change Grow Live (CGL). County Service Manager at Spectrum CGL Trudy Sealy said: ‘Working in partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary and Hertfordshire County Council in this ground-breaking project has been fantastic. To raise awareness around opiate overdose resulting in the availability of nasal naloxone on the streets of Hertfordshire with our first responders is a huge step forward. If this pilot saves one life we have achieved our goal.’