GLASGOW cabbies are among 4500 people who have responded to a life-saving campaign to carry an anti-overdose drug.

Around 20 drivers in the city responded to a nationwide call to learn how to use naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of opioids.

And Glasgow Taxis chairman Dougie MacPherson said he is hopeful that more drivers will sign up to have the kits on board.

Speaking to the Glasgow Times at an event to celebrate the 4500-strong milestone, he said: "Taxi drivers see themselves as part of the fabric of the city and are very proud of their place in our city.

"So they saw this as a chance to perform a public service and it is really a very good fit for us because taxi drivers are out in every area of the city, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, so we are well placed to help."

Dougie was a police officer before he joined Glasgow Taxis and said he saw the ill effects of heroin as it gripped the city in the 1970s and 80s.

He said: "I remember when the issue in the city was heroin and HIV and how, when drug deaths reached 100, eye brows were raised.

Glasgow Times: Dougie McPherson, right, chairman of Glasgow Taxis with Naloxone with two of the firms drivers who have been trained to administer Naloxone, they are Jim Stevenson at left and Jim Smith in middle Picture: Colin Mearns

"That destroyed a generation but drug deaths in the city are still a serious problem so when I became aware of the naloxone campaign I wanted Glasgow Taxis to be involved.

"I reached out to our members and the response was really positive.

"I'm hoping that more drivers will get involved now once they see how easy the training is and how they could save a life."

A nationwide awareness campaign, launched in August last year, encouraged the public to go to the Stop The Deaths website to learn how to recognise the signs of a drug overdose, receive training in the use of the life-saving medication naloxone and get a free naloxone kit.

The joint initiative by the Scottish Government and Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) used TV and radio adverts and billboards at transport hubs and shopping centres to promote the message.

While the campaign has finished, people can still register their interest in receiving training and getting a kit.

Glasgow Times: Kirsten Horsburgh, Strategy Coordinator for Drug Death Prevention at Scottish Drugs Forum holding a Naloxone kit Picture: Colin Mearns

Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance described the response as "really encouraging" and urged more people to get involved.

She said: “The campaign raised awareness of how to respond to an overdose and provide an early intervention which could save a life and is therefore a vital part of the national mission on the drug deaths crisis.

“We hope that the campaign has also helped reduce the stigmatisation of people at risk of overdose and people with a drug problem more broadly.

“Naloxone is one of a wide range of measures being used to address the public health emergency of drugs deaths, but it plays an important role and I hope as many people as possible will visit the “Stop The Deaths” website to find out more.”

Kirsten Horsburgh, Strategy Coordinator for Drug Death Prevention at Scottish Drugs Forum, added: “The How to Save a Life campaign has demonstrated that people in Scotland are keen to assist efforts to prevent drug deaths.

Glasgow Times: Glasgow Taxis driver Jim Stevenson holds a Naloxone kit Picture: Colin Mearns

“Naloxone is an emergency treatment that can help save someone’s life and it is essential that people are equipped with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to provide help to someone experiencing a life-threatening overdose.

“Taxi drivers may also find themselves in this position and we are grateful to Glasgow Taxis for helping to share this important message.”