Emergency Services join forces to reduce Lancs drug overdoses
Sun 1st Jan 2006
Lancashire’s Police and Ambulance services have joined forces with the county’s Drug Action Team to help make sure that fewer drug users die of overdoses within Lancashire.
The three organisations have drafted a special Drug Related Incident Protocol, which protects people who are treated by Lancashire Ambulance Service for drug related incidents from prosecution, with the following exceptions:
- There is a death at the scene or at any time whilst in the care of the Ambulance Service.
- There is any evidence of direct or indirect harm arising to children, young people or other vulnerable persons, ie a person who is in the care of the patient (older person) and who may need further support.
- The ambulance crew are at risk as a result of a potential violent situation, or if attending a known risk address or location.
- A victim to any drug related incident reports a crime (eg drink spiking).
- Where there is knowledge of repeat calls to a location, police may be contacted, eg, incidents in a relatively short space of time indicating a potential problem location (either single premises or an area such as a housing estate) where there appears to be a pattern of overdoses..
“Not only does it protect the interests of our ambulance crews from potentially violent situations, but it also marks a positive step forward in our joint bid to reduce drug-related deaths within Lancashire” said Lancashire Ambulance Service Trust’s Chief Executive David Hill.
Acting Chief Constable and Chair of the Lancashire Drug Action Team, Steve Finnigan said: “The Constabulary, together with a wide range of partners, works closely with agencies offering drug services to make sure that people with drugs misuse problems are referred into treatment as their first step towards rehabilitation.
”With the police not now routinely attending overdoses, we are likely to see more people calling for an ambulance and so the potential to reduce drug related deaths and to help rehabilitate people is much greater.
“The National Drug Strategy places a clear requirement on Drug Action Teams to reduce drug related deaths and this protocol is a positive example of where agencies are working well together to bring this about for the benefit of people in Lancashire”.
Press Photocall
The Trust’s David Hill and Lancashire Constabulary’s Acting Chief Constable Steve Finnigan will officially sign the Drug Related Incident Protocol at 12 noon on Tuesday 17th January at Lancashire Ambulance Service Headquarters on Garstang Road, Broughton.
You are invited to send a photographer/reporter to cover the event. Please contact Jill Webster, Communications Manager at Lancashire Ambulance on 07768 710898 to confirm attendance.