The rising use of synthetic opioids has been an increasing cause of concern for medical practitioners in recent years. These synthetic drugs, called nitazenes, have a greater potency than both fentanyl and heroin, themselves prolific killers in the USA. Initially developed during the 1950s as pain killing medication, the potency and addictive potential has prevented them from application in general use.
The Department of Health & Social Care has expressed concerns about the use of these nitazenes in “fake medicines”.
Recent figures released by the National Crime Agency have shown a link between more than 100 deaths as a result of using these synthetic opioids.
The National Crime Agency has made the claim that these dangerous and potent drugs have been entering the UK in increasing numbers via the postal system as a result of interference by illicit laboratories operating in China. Seemingly, these illicit groups will produce nitazenes, and then cut them heroin for greater strength when sold on the street.
The National Crime Agency additionally says that the drugs are being shipped overseas from the UK to New Zealand, Australia, and the USA.
It is believed there is a link between the rise of these synthetic opioids and the ban on poppy opium farming in Afghanistan, creating a shortage that these new drugs are beginning to fill, though presently there is no shortage of heroin in the UK.
The presence of nitazenes has also been detected in diazepam — a common anxiety treatment in the UK, and illegal to possess without a prescription — tablets illicitly bought online.
The Department of Health & Social Care, along with several law enforcement agencies, has joined a government taskforce with the aim of combating this, though critics have said that being reactive rather than proactive is too little too late. The drugs are covered under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, though there is motivation from the government to have 15 synthetic opioids reclassified as Class A drugs.
Presently, overdose figures are collected from local authorities, and there is not yet a national system in place for this purpose.
Covering a period from 1st of June 2023 through to 22nd February of this year, the study put figures together from the toxicology reports of post-mortems, which showed that 8 people died due to overdoses in Wales during that period, with a total of 21 testing samples sent anonymously to the Wales based WEDINOS testing service showing positive results for the presence of nitazenes.
The signs to look out for as an indication of nitazene overdose are: small or narrowed pupils, reduced consciousness and dizziness, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, cold or clammy skin, low blood pressure or a decreased heart rate, and the lips or fingernails turning blue or grey. Anyone found to be suffering some or all of these symptoms is advised to seek medical attention immediately.
However, Dr Mark Pucci, a toxicologist based in Birmingham and Sandwell, observed that 13 overdose patients survived during the July-October 2023 period. He said:
“I believe there are very few NHS labs around the country that are set up to test for nitazenes.”
“I do believe England is behind the curve on this matter and is now playing catch up. The data collection method they are using in terms of testing drug paraphernalia and so on is only ever going to be the tip of the iceberg.”
A spokesperson from the Department of Health & Social Care had the following statement:
“We are highly alert to the threat from synthetic drugs and have established a cross-government taskforce to co-ordinate our response to the risk from synthetic opioids, including nitazenes, to the UK. Our drug strategy is focused on tackling the supply of illicit drugs through relentless policing action as well as building a world-class system of treatment and recovery to turn people’s lives around and prevent crime.”
“We have a longstanding surveillance system in place to collect information on the nature and location of novel drug use, drug markets and reports alerting us to harms and work is ongoing to improve these systems.”
The BBC Shared Data Investigation into this matter has determined that there have been a total 101 deaths linked to nitazene overdose in the UK to date.
