Queensland Police will carry Tactical First Aid Kits including nasal sprays that offer new capability to save the lives of those suffering the effects of dangerous substances.
The Drug and Alcohol Coordination Unit (DACU) is leading the roll-out of Naloxone (Nyxoid) nasal spray to be included in the kits.
The product will be included as part of the operational police vehicle first aid response and will also to be supplied to police establishments.
Associated training will be progressively rolled out to selected QPS officers over the next 12-18 months.
The QPS is continually seeking ways to improve the ability of its officers to respond to first aid incidents, to support community safety, and to assist front-line policing.
Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN) Ltd CEO Geoff Davey said the introduction of the product would save lives.
“In 2022, 2356 Australians lost their lives to drug overdose,” he said.
“This is almost double the national road toll (1276) in the same period.
“Overdose is a significant public health issue.”
Mr Davey said the number would continue to grow if such life-saving measures weren’t undertaken.
“Overdose touches the lives of many Australians, yet it is a preventable and avoidable drug-related harm,” he said.
“We can prevent overdose through measures such as increased availability of Naloxone.”
HUMAN TRAFFICKING REPORTS JUMP IN AUSTRALIA
REPORTS of human trafficking in Australia jumped by more than 10 per cent last year, with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) releasing the latest data to coincide with the United Nations’ World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
AFP human exploitation commander Helen Schneider said reports to the AFP of human trafficking and slavery had reached an all-time high, following an increase in the 2023-24 financial year.
Commander Schneider said the AFP received 382 reports of modern slavery and human trafficking offences, an increase of 12.35 per cent from 340 reports the previous financial year.
She said that global data from the United Nations showed that one in three victims of human trafficking was a child.
