The capital’s largest taxi operator has joined a Scottish Ambulance Service initiative to place the life-saving drug naloxone in cabs operating across Edinburgh and to train drivers in using the medicine.

The move, which has seen 36 drivers working for Central Taxis complete their training, is part of the Stop the Deaths campaign launched by the Scottish government and Scottish Drugs Forum to raise public awareness and recognise so there is more chance that someone who has had a drug overdose can be saved.

Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It is already being widely used by cabbies in Glasgow as well as community pharmacies and emergency service workers across Scotland.

The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) is working with the Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership, with the Scottish Drugs Forum providing online naloxone training for the drivers. The naloxone kits have been provided and distributed to the drivers by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs.

SAS Drug Harm Reduction Lead for the East region of Scotland, Julie McCartney, is welcoming the involvement of the taxi team:

“Public knowledge and understanding is key as we seek to address the stigma surrounding drug use and encourage a compassionate approach to those who are vulnerable and need our help.

“This forms part of a wider catalogue of work by the Scottish ambulance service to maximise every opportunity to support those who use drugs to access treatment and support direct from the scene of an emergency.”

Murray Fleming from Central Taxis says his colleagues are well placed to make a difference:

“This is a great campaign. Our drivers are out and about 24 hours a day and are very much the eyes and ears of the city.

“We’ve had a terrific initial response from drivers registering to complete the training, carry naloxone and play their part in the Stop the Deaths initiative.

“We already provide a backup service for the NHS and ambulance service in Edinburgh, and we see ourselves as very much the fourth emergency service.”

Scotland’s Minister for Drug Policy, Angela Constance says the new partnership will save lives:

“The response to the Stop the Death campaign by the Scottish Drugs Forum and Scottish government earlier this year has been very encouraging and in addition to saving lives, we hope it has helped reduce the stigmatisation of people at risk of overdose and those with problematic drug use more broadly.

“Naloxone is one of a wide range of measures being used to address the public health emergency of drug deaths, but it plays an important role and I hope people will continue to visit the stop the deaths website to find out more.”

Read more: Pharmacists reassess role in preventing drug deaths; Call to expand overdose kits to community pharmacies; Scottish naloxone pilot saving lives.

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox.