Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report
April 2024
Management information
- Published
- 30 April 2024 (Latest release)
- Type
- Statistical report
- Author
- Public Health Scotland
Trends
Police drug trends bulletin
This bulletin contains photos of drugs.
This update provides information on new synthetic drugs – nitazene-type opioids and xylazine.
This information has been provided by Police Scotland’s Statement of Opinion (STOP) Unit to raise awareness of drug appearance and to demonstrate some of the substances present in Scotland's drugs market.
Xylazine
Xylazine is a non-opioid veterinary tranquiliser, not approved for human use. Xylazine (often known as ‘tranq’) is used on its own, but more commonly it is found in combination with opioids. This may increase the effects experienced but also increases the risk of harms.
Limited research has been conducted on the effects of xylazine on the human body, but anecdotal reports indicate that users experience effects similar to opioids and other depressants (analgesia, decreased breathing, decreased heart rate, nausea, unconsciousness).
The supply and importation of xylazine is controlled by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. In February 2024, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) recommended xylazine be added to class C of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Police Scotland have encountered a small number of recoveries of diamorphine that contained xylazine both in the east and west of Scotland. One recovery of 925 grams was made in the west of Scotland and is depicted below. The seizure of light brown powder with grey flecks was analysed and found to contain diamorphine (heroin), bromazolam, metonitazene, protonitazene and xylazine.
Nitazenes
As of 20 March 2024, the following fifteen synthetic opioids have been added as class A drugs to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971:
- metonitazene
- protonitazene
- isotonitazene
- butonitazene
- flunitazene
- metodesnitazene (metazene)
- etodesnitazene (etazene)
- N-pyrrolidino-etonitazene (etonitazepyne)
- N-piperidinyl-etonitazene (etonitazepipne)
- N-pyrrolidino protonitazene
- ethyleneoxynitazene
- N-desethyl protonitazene
- N-desethylisotonitazene
- N-desethyl-etonitazene
- brorphine
There are several operation and threat assessment groups that have been set up throughout Scotland and the UK to monitor the threat, including Project Housebuilder run by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
To date, Police Scotland have had 16 cases in which nitazene-type opioids have been found.
RADAR intelligence and reports
43 reports were validated by RADAR between 5 January and 4 April 2024.
43 reports were validated by RADAR between 5 January and 4 April 2024.
So far, RADAR has received over 200 reports of drug-related information and harms through the reporting form and mailbox.
A summary of key trends is shown below. Validated intelligence reports to RADAR can be found on the dashboard (external website).
Please note, many of these reports have not been confirmed by toxicology and should be considered anecdotal.
Trends by primary drug type
In the latest period (5 January to 4 April 2024):
- The most common drugs or drug types reported were:
- benzodiazepines
- cocaine
- heroin
- new synthetic opioids, including nitazenes
- MDMA (ecstasy)
- Most concerns were related to adverse effects.
Synthetic drugs
RADAR is assessing the harms related to new synthetic drugs, including bromazolam, nitazene-type opioids and xylazine.
Drug: Bromazolam. A benzodiazepine with sedative and anti-anxiety effects.
UK legal status: Bromazolam is classified as a class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Update
- Bromazolam continues to be the most common benzodiazepine detected in ‘street benzos’ in Scotland.
- In March 2024, the UN voted to add bromazolam to the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, increasing regulations on the production and distribution. It is likely we will see further changes to the benzodiazepine market and more novel substances will emerge. If you notice changes, let us know using our reporting form or by emailing phs.drugsradar@phs.scot.
Drug: Nitazenes. A group of potent synthetic opioids.
UK legal status: In March 2024, 15 new opioids were added to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Now most nitazenes (including protonitazene, metonitazene, isotonitazene and n-pyrrolidino etonitazene) are classified as class A drugs.
Update
- Reports to RADAR show ongoing availability and detections of nitazenes, most commonly metonitazene and protonitazene.
- They have been found in drugs sold as heroin, benzodiazepines and oxycodone.
- Based on post-mortem toxicology testing, nitazenes have been detected in 38 deaths (to 31 December 2023).
Drug: Xylazine. A depressant drug used in veterinary medicine with sedative, analgesic and muscle relaxant properties.
Legal status: The supply and importation of xylazine is controlled by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. Xylazine is not controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but in February 2024, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs recommended xylazine be added as a class C drug.
Update
- Between October 2023 and March 2024, xylazine was detected by WEDINOS in 15 samples mis-sold as heroin in Lothian, Forth Valley and the Scottish Borders.
- Xylazine was first detected in both post-mortem toxicology and in the ASSIST hospital toxicology project in July 2023. Since then, it has been detected 21 times (8 post-mortem and 13 ASSIST). It is often co-detected alongside heroin, benzodiazepines, codeine, cocaine and nitazenes (most commonly metonitazene and protonitazene).
Reporting drug harms
Please encourage people and services in your area to share information on trends, incidents and harms related to drugs, such as:
- adverse effects including overdose and wounds
- routes of administration
- new substances or patterns of use
- testing data.
The information in the regional breakdown can be used by local areas for their own drug trend surveillance.
Anyone can make a report by using our reporting form or by emailing phs.drugsradar@phs.scot.