Councillors in Glasgow are being trained to use Naloxone, the overdose reversal drug.

It is the latest step in rolling out kits and training to a number of people that will allow them to help someone if they suffer an opioid overdose.

Already more than 5000 kits have been issued in Glasgow in the last year, to people who could be in contact with someone at risk of overdose and it is believed that every week the drug is being used to prevent an overdose from being fatal.

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Declan Blench, SNP councillor for East Centre ward, was one of them.

He said: “I was pretty nervous about the training because I thought it would be something really complicated but it wasn’t. 

"I am amazed at how safe and effective Naloxone is. It’s not the solution but it does reduce deaths and helps keep people alive so they can access recovery services, and I firmly believe it should be more widespread.

“I’d love it if people getting ready to leave the house automatically check their pockets to make sure they’ve got 'phone, keys, wallet, naloxone' when they’re heading out.”  

Naloxone has been available for a number of years but is being made more widely available in a bid to reduce the record number of drug deaths in the city.

Last year 311 people died in a drug-related death, the highest ever, up from 291 the year before.

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Steff Kerr, recovery project manager, said: “I have managed a group of Naloxone peers since 2014 and they have trained and supplied Naloxone kits to over 2000 people. 

“I have personally administered Naloxone three times in the past and have witnessed the amazing capabilities of this life-saving drug. 

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with an amazing group of peers and their dedication and passion is limitless. 

"I was so pleased that a number of Glasgow city councillors were prepared to sign up for the overdose training and I’m quite proud knowing there is now a group of elected members carrying lifesaving Naloxone kits.”

Allan Casey, city convener for workforce, homelessness and addictions, said while treatment is the best route for people, Naloxone can keep people alive.

He said: “Most people who take drugs don’t take them to die. But the risk is there.

“The more people who are trained and carry the Naloxone kit, the more lives might be saved.

“Although it is recognised that involvement in a treatment programme substantially improves someone's chances of avoiding an overdose, having access to Naloxone at the time of need can be the difference to life or death.”