International Overdose Awareness Day

South Wales Police throws its support behind International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, joining organisations across the world who are helping in their own unique ways to prevent opioid overdose.

It is more than two years since chief officers gave front line access to the life-saving medicine, nasal naloxone.

Nasal naloxone was first introduced by the force in 2022 – since then, it has been used on 87 occasions, potentially saving a life each time.

The number of employees volunteering to carry it continues to grow. Today, there are over 600 carriers made up of police officers, PCSOs and Special Constables.

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One of those is Natalie Jones, a police constable who works in the Rhondda valley.

PC Jones said: “Carrying naloxone is my choice. In my three and a half years as a police officer, I have often been first to the scene of emergencies, including medical emergencies.

“Carrying naloxone enables me to intervene and potentially save somebody’s life.

“It is very easy to administer and there is no risk of any adverse reaction. It can buy vital time for somebody who needs urgent medical attention.”

Natalie recalls the time she administered naloxone on June 22, 2024: “I was on duty walking through Tonyrefail High Street and noticed a man slouched in a doorway. As I approached him, I could see it was a local man who I knew was an opioid user. He was unresponsive, so I administered the nasal naloxone, and he immediately came around. I’ve since learned he made a full recovery in hospital and that of course feels very good to know that I was able to help him,” she said.

Naloxone Lead for South Wales police, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Johnson: “In 2018, drug deaths in Wales, and more specifically in South Wales, were the highest they had been in a decade and working with partners we had to think of ways to reduce it.

“Following a very successful naloxone pilot in Neath Port Talbot back in 2021, we made it available to officers across the force and today, we have an ever-growing number of volunteers who carry it.

“Naloxone is very simple to use and it’s easy to carry.

“Every front-line officer and potentially other services could carry naloxone – I really hope others follow our example. It is proven to work, and it is saves lives.”