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RADAR alert issued on nitazenes and contamination of the drugs supply - publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/au...

On crew.scot/drug-alert-update-nitazenes/ there is a Drug Alert Update on a type of Synthetic Opioids called nitazenes. There is information on harm reduction, how to support in an overdose situation including how to book naloxone training and get a naloxone kit, as well as resources from SDF, RADAR and Crew.

Synthetic opioids including nitazenes have been found in Scotland, and in the UK. We’ve created this update on Crew.Scot with information on what you can do!
Harm reduction, naloxone training and resources from Crew, SDF @scottishdrugsforum.bsky.social and RADAR @publichealthscot.bsky.social

Purple background with text 'RADAR, Rapid action drug alerts and response. Scotland's Drugs Early Warning System. on the left is a green and yellow radar symbol

🚨 New RADAR alert re nitazines and synthetic opioids detected in Scotland’s unregulated drug supply.

👉 Read more about increasing availability, rising harms, and continuing concern.
publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/au...

Graphic titled 'RADAR Indicators of drug harms in Scotland' showing naloxone administrations from March to May 25. It reports 1,089 Scottish Ambulance Service naloxone administration incidents—45% higher than the previous quarter (752) and 9% higher than the same period last year (1,002).

Graphic titled 'RADAR: Indicators of drug harms in Scotland' showing A&E attendances from March to May 25. It reports 1,062 drug-related emergency department attendances—19% higher than the previous quarter (891) and unchanged from the same period last year (1,062).

Infographic from Public Health Scotland titled 'RADAR Indicators of drug harms in Scotland' showing suspected drug deaths from March to May 25. It reports 312 suspected drug deaths, averaging 24 per week—15% higher than the previous quarter (272) and 7% higher than the same period last year (291).

Graphic for Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System, RADAR. It includes the text: 'RADAR – Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System. View the full RADAR report and find our current alerts at: publichealthscotland.scot/RADAR. Public Health Scotland.

The report shows drug-related harms are higher compared to the previous quarter and highlights the serious impact of a rapidly evolving, toxic and unpredictable drug supply.

📊 Our infographics share some of the key figures.

View the full report 🔽
publichealthscotland.scot/publications...

Thank you to the teams, services and individuals that share data, information and insights to help us create this report and inform our response to drug harms.

·      ambulance naloxone incidents: +45%
·      emergency department attendances: +19%
·      suspected drug deaths: +15%

Detections of street benzos decreased to their lowest levels in years, and nitazene detections increased (most notably the highly potent etonitazene).

@publichealthscot.bsky.social has published its latest report from RADAR:
publichealthscotland.scot/publications...

In this 12th quarterly report, we document rising levels of harm and a continued crisis.

In Mar-May 25, harms increased compared to the previous quarter...

Our latest RADAR quarterly report shows increased levels of drug-related harm across Scotland, underlining the need for continued action.

📺 Hear from Dr Tara Shivaji, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland and Lead of RADAR.

More info 🔽
publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/ju...

Read the report: www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications...
Visit the data dashboard: scotland.shinyapps.io/phs-drugs-ra...

7. Service indicators (injecting equipment provision, opioid substitution therapy, treatment) were down on the last quarter (due to seasonal reduction at Christmas) and down compared to the last year.

6. Bromazolam detections dropped again in post-mortem, from a high of 24% of deaths in Q3 2023, to 11% in Q4 2024. Etizolam also continued to reduce, to 2% of deaths in Q4 2024. New benzos continued to appear including clonazolam, gidazepam and ethylbromazolam.

5. Cocaine was the most frequently identified substance in national post-mortem toxicology, the NHS GGC ASSIST project and NHS Lothian Drug Treatment Testing, highlighting its leading role in harms.

Click and Deliver Naloxone - SFAD We are supplying take-home naloxone kits (THN) to family members who may be supporting someone at risk of an opioid overdose.

4. 221 trend reports were received, with many reporting 'heroin' causing sudden collapse needing multiple naloxone doses to reverse. In Scotland? Order naloxone: www.sfad.org.uk/naloxone

2. Some of the recent harms have been linked to nitazenes: publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/ma...
3. Nitazene detections continue with etonitazene detected in ASSIST for the first time. Nitazenes have been detected in a total of 132 deaths.

Key point thread on drug trends and harms in Scotland from RADAR @publichealthscot.bsky.social
1. Compared to last quarter, A&E attendances were down 9%, ambulance naloxone administrations were stable & suspected drug deaths were up 17%.
www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications...

Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly ​report Scotland - Adulteration of heroin with nitazene-type opioids continues to be reported through RADAR reports and WEDINOS. - publichealthscotland.scot/publications...

People have reported sudden collapse after injecting or smoking heroin, with a rapid onset of overdose. Further testing is underway to identify the specific drugs involved in these clusters #StopTheDeaths

Read more information here: sdf.org.uk/.../03/SDF-O...

IMPORTANT : there has been a rise of drug related harms in Scotland owing to heroin spiked with nitazenes. This makes it stronger than expected and overdoses more likely.

If you know someone at risk please carry naloxone if you can.

More info and advice here:
sdf.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Raised concerns after a sudden increase in overdoses among people using heroin in Scotland - Scottish Drugs Forum To view and/or download the overdose alert resource – CLICK HERE There is concern about clusters of drug…

@scottishdrugsforum.bsky.social have issues an alert about a sudden increase in overdoses among people using heroin in Scotland.

Read more here: sdf.org.uk/raised-conce...

PHS urges caution after increase in sudden overdoses in Scotland.Some overdoses have been characterised by sudden, rapid collapse, with many requiring multiple doses of naloxone. Rapid testing has identified a nitazene-type opioid in some heroin samples www.publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/ma...

Raised concerns after a sudden increase in overdoses among people using heroin in Scotland - Scottish Drugs Forum To view and/or download the overdose alert resource – CLICK HERE There is concern about clusters of drug…

Scottish alert due to increase in heroin-related overdoses - marked by sudden collapse, requiring multiple doses of naloxone. Nitazenes detected in some heroin samples associated.
More from SDF: sdf.org.uk/raised-conce...
PHS statement: www.publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/ma...

RAISED CONCERN AFTER RISE IN SUDDEN OVERDOSES IN PEOPLE USING HEROIN IN SCOTLAND - Scottish Drugs Forum To view and/or download the overdose alert resource – CLICK HERE There is concern about clusters of drug…

sdf.org.uk/raised-conce...

RAISED CONCERN AFTER RISE IN SUDDEN OVERDOSES IN PEOPLE USING HEROIN IN SCOTLAND - Scottish Drugs Forum To view and/or download the overdose alert resource – CLICK HERE There is concern about clusters of drug…

People have reported sudden collapse after injecting or smoking heroin, with a rapid onset of overdose. Further testing is underway to identify the specific drugs involved in these clusters.

Nitazenes have been found in heroin & benzodiazepines supplied in Scotland and may be present in other drugs including cocaine. Nitazenes are potent drugs and can cause overdose and death on their own or in combination with other drugs.

View the full suite of resources here: buff.ly/3Q65Lvw

Nitazenes have been found in heroin & benzodiazepines supplied in Scotland and may be present in other drugs including cocaine. Nitazenes are potent drugs and can cause overdose and death on their own or in combination with other drugs.

View the full suite of resources here: buff.ly/3Q65Lvw

Street Drugs Discussions: Deep dive into Nitazenes This webinar features a panel discussion discussing the rise of Nitazenes in the UK.

Curious about nitazenes? Join Drug Science’s upcoming Street Drugs Discussions webinar to learn about this potent synthetic opioid.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/street-dru...

Infographic reporting decrease in suspected drug deaths in Scotland September to November 2024. 10% lower than previous quarter. 15% lower than same period in 2023.

10% decrease in suspected #DrugDeaths and drug-related A&E attendances in Sep-Nov 2024 compared to previous quarter. Encouraging, but ongoing harms, incl. presence of #cocaine among decedents. publichealthscotland.scot/publications...

This is an excellent thread summarizing the results from Scotland’s drug Early Warning System, RADAR. A must-read for drug researchers interested in current trends in the UK.

Thanks Andrew! 😀

Go on, give it a read:
www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications...

Find out more about RADAR: publichealthscotland.scot/RADAR