Moray SNP councillors attend Naloxone training to tackle drug deaths
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A group of five Moray SNP councillors have taken a proactive step towards tackling drug deaths in the region.
The councillors have learned how to administer an emergency medication called Naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an overdose and potentially save lives.
Organised in partnership with the local addiction agency Arrows, their training session also taught them how recognise the signs of an overdose.
The north east had the second-largest number of suspected drug deaths in Scotland during the tail-end of 2022.
Police Scotland data showed 31 fatalities between October and December – behind only Glasgow, which had 66 over the same three-month period.
Cllr Jérémie Fernandes (Elgin North, SNP) is the local party's co-spokesperson on community safety.
He said: "The chances of having to use the naloxone kit are, thankfully, very slim. But it is important that, if we are ever in a situation where we have to administer it, we are fully prepared.
"By attending this training, we are equipping ourselves with the skills and knowledge to potentially save lives.
"We hope that others in the community will also consider attending naloxone training to help tackle this issue.
"The more people who are trained and carry the Nyxoid kit, the more lives might be saved."
Cllr Theresa Coull (Keith and Cullen, SNP) is the other co-spokesperson.
She said: "I was nervous before the training because I thought it would be complicated, but administering naloxone is very easy. It’s like using a standard nasal spray.
"I am amazed at how safe and effective naloxone is. It can help keep people alive so they can access the recovery services they need.
"I believe that carrying rescue medication should be more widespread, and I would encourage people to take up the training."
