 Police said some drug users had never had overdose information |
Drug users at risk of dying from overdoses are to receive help from specially trained police staff. Every drug user who is held in police custody in Fife is being given easy-to-follow information on what they can do to cut down on overdose risks.
The guide is designed to either save their own life or the lives of fellow drug users.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of a rising number of drug overdose fatalities in Fife.
Last year Fife Constabulary investigated 15 drug-related sudden deaths.
Pc Kenny Cameron, Fife Constabulary's drugs liaison officer, said the new initiative aimed to reduce the risk of overdosing, especially for those who inject heroin.
"Our staff who work in the custody suites across Fife have been given special training in this area," he said.
"Overdose is now the biggest cause of death among people who inject heroin."
Custody staff are handing out information packs to drug users which contain advice on what to do if someone overdoses, how to put someone in the recovery position if they are unconscious and explodes some myths connected with drug use.
Bath myth
"One myth among some drug users is that a cold bath wakens someone up if they're unconscious from a drugs overdose," Pc Cameron said.
"If someone is unconscious, always call an ambulance."
The average age of people who have died from drug overdoses in Fife is 30. Police said the majority of them had a history of near-misses.
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Overdose is now the biggest cause of death among people who inject heroin
