HIV/AIDS Asia Regional Program
Training Program for Police: Effective strategies for reducing the spread
of HIV/AIDS . . .
Trainee Resource Package (Handouts Topic 6)
Topic 6
Law Enforcement and Harm Reduction Advocacy and Action Manual
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HIV/AIDS Asia Regional Program
Topic 6 Assisting an IDU in trouble
a) Intoxicated and at risk b) Unconscious / Overdosed c) Guidelines for Police
i.
Not routinely attending overdoses
ii.
Using discretion when attending overdoses
Handout 6A
Topic 6 Assessment Task 1 What policies, procedures, and guidelines, does your
organisation have in place to ensure the safety of people who are:
a) Intoxicated
b) In custody
c) intoxicated and
in custody
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HIV/AIDS Asia Regional Program
Handout 6B
Overdose - What to do
The following information is a guide only and does not replace proper instruction. It is
provided as an example of the type of information that should be provided by your
employer. You should obtain up to date information from your employer or other
appropriate organisation.
Don't let them 'sleep it off'. They may roll on their back, vomit and stop breathing.
Warning signs include:
-
Failing to Respond
-
Snoring and / or Gurgling
-
Blue Lips and / or Fingernails
1.
Place them in the recovery position as below.
2.
Get someone to call an ambulance.
Use the DR-ABC method:
Danger
-
Check for your and their safety (e.g. traffic)
Response
-
Gently shake & call name.
-
If a response, keep talking. They may lapse into unconsciousness.
-
If no response, turn on side (recovery position).
Airway
-
Check & clear airway while on side by removing any obstructions - possibly
use a two-finger scoop from top to bottom.
-
Gently tilt head back and open mouth.
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Law Enforcement and Harm Reduction Advocacy and Action Manual
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HIV/AIDS Asia Regional Program
Breathing
-
Check for breathing by listening and watching for the rise and fall of the
chest.
Use your cheek to feel any breath.
-
If not breathing, commence mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
-
Give 5 full breaths in 10 seconds with the head tilted back, chin forward,
nose pinched and mouth sealed over the person.
Circulation
-
If breathing doesn't start, check the pulse in their neck (Carotid Pulse).
-
If pulse, continue mouth-to-mouth @ 15 breaths per minute.
-
If no pulse, commence Cardio-Pulmonary-Resuscitation (CPR)
-
Gently (but firmly) press the lower third of the breast bone about once a
second,
using a rocking motion, with your body weight over the person and straight
arms,
one hand over the other using the ball of your hand.
-
If one operator, 15 compressions to 2 breaths
-
If two operators, 5 compressions to 1 breath
Overdose - what not to do
-
Do not wait for things to get better or for the drug to wear off - call an ambulance;
better safe than sorry - this is about life and death.
-
Do not inject salt water - it simply doesn't work and wastes valuable time.
-
Do not try to give anything by mouth to someone who has overdosed (e.g., tea,
coffee, alcohol). Apart from not working, you may make them vomit.
-
If someone is unconscious, it is not recommended that you make them vomit.
There is a significant risk or them inhaling their vomit and suffocating.
-
Do not inject amphetamines or other stimulants to try to reverse the effects of
heroin. It doesn't work and can complicate further emergency procedures.
-
Do not put an unconscious person in a bath - they may drown. However, if
someone has overdosed on stimulants (particularly Ecstasy), and their body feels
very hot, consider using water soaked cloth to cool them as the ambulance
arrives.
-
A person should not use drugs again after being revived by medical staff,
particularly if a drug has been given to counter the effects of the heroin (such as
Naloxone / Narcan). Some drugs that may be given by medical staff can wear off
while the original does of heroin is still active. A further does of heroin (or another
depressant drug such as alcohol) could lead to another overdose.
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HIV/AIDS Asia Regional Program
Handout 6C
Some examples of some main aspects of guidelines for Police for:
i.
Not routinely attending overdoses
ii.
Using discretion when attending overdoses

Preservation of life is a law enforcement priority.

Drug overdose is primarily a problem managed by ambulance and medical
services.

Fear of prosecution for minor drug use and possession offences has been
identified as contributing to the reluctance of some people to call an ambulance in
the event of an overdose.

Police should exercise their discretion when attending incidents of drug overdose
with the aim of removing this reluctance.

When police attend the scene of a non fatal drug overdose they are encouraged
to exercise their discretion to not take action for self administration offences and
minor possession offences (for the victim and anyone else at the scene).

Exercising their discretion may remove the fear of prosecution and encourage
people present at overdoses to call for assistance without delay.

The primary role of Police is to ensure the safety of ambulance officers, the victim
and anyone else present.

Police are to seize any prohibited drug that is obviously present and deal with it as
per normal procedures when dealing with exhibits. After this it is usually
appropriate to leave the scene.

In exercising their discretion, police will obviously consider the circumstances of
each case.
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