Drugs contaminated with synthetic opioids: advice on staying safe
New synthetic opioids have arrived in the UK in the last two years, some are called "nitazenes". They have recently been found mixed with heroin, with some being sold as illicit oxycodone pills or even Xanax pills and powders.
Nitazenes can be at least as strong as fentanyl and can be hundreds of times more potent than heroin. They are known to have led to accidental overdoses and deaths of people in several areas across the UK in the last few weeks.
Most people taking drugs do not expect to die from an overdose. If you use drugs, this information will help you and your friends to stay alive.
If you plan on using opioids, please follow these three steps to keep yourself and your friends as safe as possible:
Advice for staying safe
Try not to use drugs alone, and don’t let your friends use them alone either. Take it in turns to use and wait to see if your friend is okay before using yourself.
Watch out for signs of overdose, which include difficulty breathing, blue colouring to the lips or fingertips, unresponsiveness, and limp limbs.
Always carry naloxone. It’s available for free from all treatment providers. If someone overdoses, give naloxone to them and call 999.
Naloxone only works on opioids. However, if you suspect someone has overdosed give them naloxone even if you’re not sure they have taken an opioid. It will not harm your friend.
In some overdose cases where synthetic opioids are involved, multiple doses of naloxone may be needed.
Your drugs may look the same even if they are contaminated, so always start by taking a smaller dose than you usually would every time you use.
Test the strength of your drugs by taking a quarter of your usual dose to start with. Allow plenty of time to see how you feel before taking another dose.
This helps reduce your risk of overdose.
If you use opioids every day your local drug treatment service can support you and prescribe alternatives such as methadone and buprenorphine. Even if abstinence isn’t your goal these alternatives can help keep you safe. You will know what you are taking and your risk of overdose may be reduced.
If you are already in treatment for opioid dependence and you don’t want to use on top, speak to your worker and make sure you’re getting the right dose.
You can also use WEDINOS Sample Testing to test your drugs if you can spare a bit, but it takes time to get the results back so go easy in the meantime.