An alert has been issued by NHS Dumfries & Galloway over a spate of ‘rapid’ drug overdoses in the region. Although not yet confirmed by local testing, the ‘sudden collapse’ overdoses occurring immediately after injection ‘come amid similar cases elsewhere in Scotland’, the health authority warns.
Testing in the other cases has revealed the presence of powerful synthetic opioids, as well as ‘other combinations of substances’. People who use drugs are being warned to treat all substances with caution, not to use drugs alone and avoid buying from new sources.
‘We’re very keen that everybody is made aware of the current increased risk reflected by these overdose cases,’ said Dumfries and Galloway consultant in public health Chris Allan. ‘In these situations, the overdose has been almost immediate – with reduced breathing and rapid deterioration – and in cases in other areas people have very sadly died. We’re advising people who use drugs to be extra vigilant.’
People should also ensure they had ready access to naloxone kits, he added. ‘And due to the potency of synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which might be present, you may need to administer multiple doses of naloxone. Naloxone should only be used if the person is overdosing and unresponsive. Even if you’re not sure if an opioid is present, naloxone can be administered and will not cause harm.’
Meanwhile, a number of people have also been taken ill in Camden, north London, according to local police services. ‘Police are aware and are investigating the circumstances after a number of people have been taken ill in and around the Camden area today (Monday, 3 March),’ said a statement from the Metropolitan Police. ‘We are aware of nine cases and believe that all of these people have fallen ill after taking a substance believed to be heroin. At this time, there have been no fatalities but we continue to monitor the situation.’