- Queensland Police to carry new capability to save the lives of those suffering the effects of dangerous substances
- Naloxone (Nyxoid) nasal spray to be included in Tactical First Aid Kits
- Naloxone nasal sprays temporarily reverse the effects of opioid overdoses
Following a successful trial by the Western Australian Police Force, the Queensland Police Service will roll out a new life-saving capability to Tactical First Aid Kits.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) Drug and Alcohol Coordination Unit (DACU) is leading the roll out of Naloxone (Nyxoid) nasal spray as a first aid product to be included in the Tactical First Aid Kits of QPS officers.
Naloxone nasal sprays temporarily reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.
The product is to be included as part of the operational police vehicle first aid response and will also to be supplied to police establishments.
The product and associated training will be progressively rolled out to selected QPS officers over the next 12-18 months.
The QPS is continually seeking ways to improve the ability of its officers to respond to first aid incidents, to support community safety, and to assist front-line policing.
As stated by Police Minister Mark Ryan:
"The Queensland Police Service often leads the nation in adopting the latest technology, products and strategies when it comes to frontline responses.
"This inclusion to Police Tactical First Aid Kits will further enhance police capabilities to support community safety and will save lives.
"I commend police for their posture of always seeking continuous improvement in every aspect of their work."
As stated by Commissioner Steve Gollschewski:
"Making sure our officers have access to Naloxone could mean the difference between life or death.
"Police officers are first responders, which means we are often the first on scene.
"The purpose of the medicine is to ensure officers are able to deliver immediate assistance to an opioid overdose while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
"They may only have a few minutes to act to save a life, and having Naloxone is a welcome extension of our first aid kits."
As stated by QPUE President Ian Leavers:
"We've been championing tools like this for some time, so this is a great development, and the Queensland Police Service should be congratulated for embracing innovation.
"Sadly, it's a fact of life in modern policing that officers find themselves in situations where people are suffering potentially deadly overdoses.
"Having Naloxone in the Tactical First Aid Kit will save lives and that is the highest priority of the Queensland Police Service."
As stated by Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN) Ltd Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Davey:
"In 2022, 2,356 Australians lost their lives to drug overdose.
"This is almost double the national road toll (1,276) in the same period.
"Overdose is a significant public health issue.
"This number continues to grow if we don't take these types of life saving measures.
"Overdose touches the lives of many Australians, yet it is a preventable and avoidable drug-related harm.
"We can prevent overdose through measures such as increased availability of Naloxone.
"We commend the Minister and the Qld Government for taking this important lifesaving measure to support the community".
As stated by Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies CEO Rebecca Lang:
"We know frontline police are likely to encounter people experiencing opioid overdose, so it makes good sense to equip them with naloxone and the potential to save lives.
"We commend the QPS for proactively adopting naloxone as part of their first aid kit, which will enhance the safety of the Queensland community".
As stated by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation's CEO, Dr Erin Lalor AM:
"Concerningly, potent synthetic opioids are being detected increasingly across Australia, meaning anyone taking illicit or unregulated drugs could be at risk of harm, including overdose.
"Greater access to Naloxone, a life-saving drug that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, is a critical step in stopping deaths linked to these drugs.
"We commend the Queensland Government on this important initiative to help keep people safe. Any drug-related harm or death is one too many."
