The Glasgow city council is considering Nalaxone distribution as part of its efforts to combat a growing drug problem.
Since January of this year, drug deaths in the Scottish city have increased by nearly a third.
In a desperate bid to halt the death rate, the council has decided to test the practicalities of distributing Nalaxone to drug users, carers and families in the category that they class as “vulnerable.”
Up until now, nalaxone, which can be used to treat a heroin overdose, has been a “pescription only” medice requiring doctors’ advice. The new proposal, which extends to only part of the city, will see naltraxone administered by non-medically qualified people, should the need arise.
Should the £20 000 trial be successful, then the program would be extended city-wide.
While this proposal is sure to ruffle a few feathers and upset a lot of vested interests in the drug debate, at the end of the day it is about saving lives.
Who can really argue with that?