Pembrokeshire part of UK-wide effort to tackle rise in dangerous street drugs

MORE than 400 Dyfed-Powys Police officers, including those serving across Pembrokeshire, are now equipped with naloxone – a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

The move is part of a wider UK Government-backed initiative to tackle the growing threat of synthetic opioids, which are increasingly being found not only in heroin but also in counterfeit painkillers and sedatives. These powerful substances have been linked to over 450 drug-related deaths in the UK over the past two years.

Figures released this week confirm that 483 officers in the Dyfed-Powys force area – which covers Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys – are now carrying naloxone as standard, allowing them to respond rapidly to overdoses in the community. The drug is typically administered as a nasal spray and can quickly reverse the effects of opioid poisoning.

Nationally, over 20,000 police officers and nearly 900 support staff are now carrying naloxone, with the rollout contributing to over 1,200 life-saving interventions since 2019.

Chief Constable Richard Lewis, who leads Dyfed-Powys Police and is also the national police lead for drugs, welcomed the expansion of naloxone use.

He said: “Synthetic opioids are an increasing danger, and our officers are often first on the scene when someone is in crisis. Equipping them with naloxone is a practical step that has already saved lives. It’s just one part of our ongoing work to protect vulnerable people and reduce harm in the communities we serve.”

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson also highlighted the growing challenge posed by synthetic drugs, calling them an “evolving threat” that must be tackled head-on. She praised officers for their role in helping to deliver the government’s “Plan for Change” to keep the streets safe.

The rise of synthetic opioids – including highly potent substances such as nitazenes – has prompted changes in UK drug laws. A new, broader legal definition of nitazenes aims to stop criminal groups from tweaking drug formulas to stay ahead of the law.

In addition, access to naloxone has been expanded, with changes allowing more people to obtain the drug without a prescription. This includes support workers and those in outreach services who may encounter individuals at risk of overdose.

Night Time Industries Association CEO Michael Kill described the policy as a “vital step” in saving lives, particularly in areas affected by the growing presence of synthetic opioids on the streets.

Pembrokeshire has seen its share of drug-related incidents in recent years, with concerns raised by residents and local authorities about the availability of illicit pills and contaminated heroin. The wider rollout of naloxone may provide reassurance that officers on the frontline are better prepared to respond.

As synthetic drugs continue to pose a deadly threat, the message from police, policymakers and harm reduction advocates is clear: swift intervention with the right tools can – and does – save lives.

Pictured above:

PC Sam Holliday of Cambridgeshire Police demonstrating Naloxone (Image: Cambs Police)