Victoria police say they'll be training their officers and civilian staff to use naloxone, a drug that can save lives in opioid overdose situations.
Speaking on C-FAX, acting Police Chief Del Manak says a lot of times they are the third responders on the streets but it's better to be safe than sorry.
“Because we are out on the streets on the regular basis, we do come across people in a first instance where we come across upon somebody who is having an overdose and in those cases, we want to make sure we are well equipped and we can perform life saving measures.”
Manak says the naloxone is available to them in nasal spray form. Plans to use the medicine will be rolled out in two different phases with the second stage having officers carry the naloxone with them out in the field.
Saanich PD will be introducing use of naloxone in the future, but haven't started the process of training their officers. They are currently preparing for implementation.
Like Vic-PD, they'll be conferring with provincial counterparts on standards and delivery of the drug.