A report from Sky News has revealed that a new type of drug, known as nitazenes, is rapidly spreading across the UK. These synthetic opioids are said to be 50 times more powerful than fentanyl and are being mixed with drugs such as heroin. Nitazenes were originally developed as an alternative to morphine around 60 years ago but were never released due to their high overdose potential. They are often mixed with fentanyl or other drugs and have been linked to numerous overdose deaths worldwide.
The dangers of these potent drugs were highlighted by Rory, a resident of East London, who witnessed the devastating effects firsthand. “I’m seeing people coughing up blood. I’m seeing people dying. Any drug you are buying off the street, you’re taking a risk. These people are in it for the money, and the purer it is, the less they make – so they are putting other stuff in it,” he told Sky News.
Fentanyl, which is already 50 times stronger than heroin, is a prevalent drug in North America and is estimated to have caused 75,000 deaths in the US last year. However, nitazenes are even more potent, with some being up to 300 times stronger than heroin.
One woman shared her harrowing experience with nitazene use, revealing the horrifying consequences. “I’ve got holes in my legs. There’s no skin, just holes. It’s painful,” she said, pointing to her bandaged legs. These strange wounds have only appeared in the past few months, and the woman’s identity has not been disclosed.
The influx of synthetic drugs, including nitazenes, has been attributed to a Taliban crackdown on heroin production in Afghanistan. This crackdown has significantly reduced the flow of heroin from the country, leading to a surge in the production and distribution of more deadly synthetic alternatives. Abdirahim Hassan, a campaigner against drugs, explained that while these synthetic drugs are cheaper and more potent, they also pose a higher risk of overdose and death.
Nitazenes are typically sold as a white powder, crystalline solid, or brown/yellow powder. They have also been found in counterfeit oxycodone tablets, heroin, ketamine, and synthetic cannabinoids.
The spread of these dangerous drugs highlights the need for increased awareness, education, and support to combat their devastating effects on individuals and communities.
