FOI 25-478 Policies on SAS Referring Drug Users
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 25-478 Policies on SAS Referring Drug Users
- Request Date
- 22 Oct 2025
- Response Date
- 03 Nov 2025
- Information Requested
As part of a university assignment i'm looking into ways the ambulance service reduces drug harm. If possible, could I request any policies relevant to how and under what circumstanced SAS refers drug users/ near fatal overdoses to services such as CAReS (Community Addiction Recovery Services).
- Response
SAS can refer people to drug and alcohol support services in two main ways:
- Via a data sharing agreement between SAS and each of the health boards in Scotland. If the person being attended to by the SAS clinicians does not object, information from the ePR is shared the following day with the health board where the call is. The health board can then reach out to the person, either directly or via one of their partner agencies to offer support. The criteria for this is related to the administration of naloxone by the ambulance crews, and/or potential use of opiates or benzodiazepines being recorded in the ePR.
- An ambulance clinician, as part of their on-scene assessment and treatment, can offer to make a referral to a drug and alcohol support service. If the person agrees, the ambulance clinician can complete a form on their SAS phone, which goes to the SAS Pathways Hub. The Pathways Hub then passes the referral to the most relevant partner agency in that area. The referral can be made in response to the ambulance clinician identifying any risk factors related to substance use that is problematic in the person’s life.
The Scottish Ambulance Service clinicians follow the guidelines set out by the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC – Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee) alongside the Scottish Ambulance Service guidelines provided.
- Response Documents
