NHS Ayrshire & Arran and Police Scotland are working with partner agencies to address recent concerns about the rise in deaths and near-fatal overdoses among street drug users.
Synthetic opioids, known as nitazines, have been detected in various street drugs, including heroin in Scotland. These substances have led to severe overdoses, hospitalizations, and, in some cases, drug-related deaths.
These potent opioids have also been found in other drugs on the market, such as benzodiazepines and counterfeit opioid painkillers like oxycodone.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran and the Ayrshire Division of Police Scotland are working with partners in the Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Drug Treatment Teams, Scottish Ambulance Service, the Emergency Departments (ED) of University Hospitals Ayr and Crosshouse, and peer recovery communities to prevent further overdoses.
Sally Amor, Consultant in Public Health – NHS Ayrshire & Arran explains: “Our foremost priority is saving lives. Every drug overdose death is a preventable tragedy, affecting not only friends of families of the person who has died, but the broader community.
“We are working with our partners to prevent future near fatal overdoses and deaths, and also to remove the stigma of drug use.”
Chief Superintendent Matt Paden said: “We support ongoing initiatives which aim to reduce the harm associated with problematic drug use and work in partnership with a wide range of national and international partners and law enforcement agencies to monitor trends, emerging threats and share intelligence to help address the number of recorded drug deaths in Scotland.
“The effects of illegal drugs have a devastating impact on our communities, and we have the deepest sympathy for the families involved.”
Recognizing and responding to an overdose can save lives. Here are the signs of a drug overdose:
- Unresponsive (does not wake when shaken)
- Snoring or noisy breathing
- Blue or pale lips and skin
- Seizures or fits
Sally Amor adds: “If you notice these symptoms, call 999 immediately. Stay calm and request an ambulance. Provide as much information as possible and be honest about what substances have been taken, as this will help emergency services provide the best care. The priority of emergency services is to save lives.
“Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid or drug overdose. We strongly encourage individuals who inject drugs to carry naloxone at all times. Naloxone can be obtained from local drug services or ordered online from www.sfad.org.uk.”
Communities are also impacted by harms associated with the selling of drugs. But they also have an important role to play in helping to keep our communities safe. Members of the public can help with providing information to the police and can be assured of complete confidentiality.
Chief Superintendent Matt Paden adds: “Officers from local policing and specialist divisions work tirelessly to remove illegal drugs from communities every day, and remain committed to disrupting the activities of those organised criminals who supply drugs, and continue their work to ensure Scotland is a hostile environment for them to operate.
“We can’t tackle this issue alone and would urge the public to continue supporting us in building intelligence about the possession and supply of drugs by contacting Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”