'His loss is massive': Inquests show spread of deadly synthetic drugs
Summary
The article explains that nitazenes, a powerful synthetic opioid, have been linked to many deaths in the UK. Often used as cheap substitutes for other drugs, they are sometimes taken unknowingly. A case is highlighted where a young man died after taking what he thought was a different drug, which turned out to be nitazene.Key Facts
- Nitazenes are potent synthetic opioids, much stronger than heroin.
- They have been linked to hundreds of deaths in the UK since 2021.
- Many people do not know they are taking nitazenes because they are mixed with other drugs.
- A young man named Gus died after unknowingly ingesting nitazenes instead of the drug he thought he was taking.
- Data from the UK's National Programme on Substance Use Mortality analyzed 286 inquests linked to nitazenes.
- The review noted that many affected individuals had unstable housing and mental health issues.
- Nine out of ten inquests involved men, primarily between ages 17 to 66.
- The opioid antidote naloxone could prevent deaths but is rarely found in inquest records.
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