Overdose Awareness Day – 31 August 2025
Police Scotland is recognising International Overdose Awareness Day on Sunday, 31 August, 2025.
International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to raise awareness of overdose.
It is a time to remember those lost to an overdose, acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.
Following a successful pilot, Police Scotland commenced a national roll out of Naloxone to all frontline officers and since then there have been 791 successful administrations, potentially saving many lives.
The circumstances leading to Naloxone administrations by police have been varied and have included incidents where officers have discovered unconscious casualties during patrols or being alerted to an overdose by a member of the public.
One officer in Fife said: “This is the first time I have administered Naloxone and thankfully the second dose brought the person round.”
Another officer in Aberdeen had a similar experience: “I came across an individual who required Naloxone administration which was straight forward, I used the nasal spray. The individual came around approximately after 15 minutes, from unconsciousness to full alertness.”
Reducing the number of drug related deaths across Scotland is a holistic, health led approach. Police Scotland is committed to working in partnership with health organisations to reduce the harms caused by substance addiction.
Video message here:
Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said: “Police Scotland recognises the pain the loss of a loved one causes and the wider harms of drugs across our communities.
“We will continue to work towards reducing drug related deaths and to make Scotland a hostile country and environment for those involved in criminal activity related to drugs.’
If you would like further information about substance harms, preventions resources and guidance or the carriage and use of Naloxone visit our dedicated Carriage of Naloxone by Police Scotland officers page.
