Dangerous drugs

Drugs are increasingly cut with dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which have killed 100s of people in the UK in the past year. This is happening in a wide range of drugs, not just heroin, and you can never really know what is in any street or counterfeit drug.

Synthetic opioids are man-made drugs that mimic the effects of natural opioids (such as opium or heroin) but can be much more deadly. Most synthetic opioids, including nitazenes and fentanyl, are class A drugs which means they're illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell. Some synthetic opioids are used in healthcare as pain relievers or anaesthetics but fakes are also made and sold illegally. Others have no legitimate uses and are only produced and sold illegally.

Synthetic opioids are often mixed with other drugs, especially heroin, which can increase the risk of overdose. They have also been reported in some counterfeit pills, especially benzodiazepines, like diazepam, and opioid painkillers, like oxycodone, and also in other illicit drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids, cocaine and ecstasy. Don’t be fooled by legit looking packaging – just because a drug looks like a real medicine, doesn't mean it really is.

It's very easy to overdose on synthetic opioids, because there's only a small difference between a dose that will get you high, and one that might kill you.

The opioid overdose antidote, naloxone, works on synthetic opioids so have it to hand if you’re going to put yourself at risk. You can get it from your nearest drug service.

Reduce your risk by avoiding drugs altogether. Or, if you must use them, you might be able to reduce the risks if you:

• Start with just a small amount and wait to see what the effect is before considering taking any more

• Don’t use alone

• If you’re in a group, don’t all use at the same time so there is no-one available to help and get help if people go over

More information and help or someone to talk to if you need it.