Health Authorities Warn of Rising Threat from Synthetic Drugs Amid Surge in Suspected Deaths

Health experts in Scotland have sounded the alarm over the increasing presence of powerful synthetic drugs, warning they may be a major factor behind a recent spike in suspected drug-related deaths.

According to new data released by Public Health Scotland (PHS), a total of 312 suspected drug deaths occurred between March and May 2025, representing a 15% increase compared to the previous three-month period. These findings were published in the latest Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) report, which monitors emerging drug threats across the country.

A key concern highlighted in the report is the growing presence of a class of highly potent synthetic opioids known as nitazenes, which have been increasingly detected in drug samples and are frequently mixed with other illicit substances such as heroin. These synthetic opioids have been linked to a number of overdose cases in recent months, with health officials warning of their exceptionally high potency.

Although nitazenes were only officially detected in 6% of the recent drug deaths, one health expert cautioned that this figure is likely a significant underestimate, due to limitations in drug testing procedures. Many toxicology screenings do not routinely check for nitazene compounds, making it difficult to accurately track their prevalence and impact.

The Hidden Danger of Nitazenes

Nitazenes are synthetic opioids that are structurally different from other commonly known drugs such as heroin and fentanyl, but they are far more potent — in some cases, many times stronger than fentanyl itself. They are sometimes sold as or mixed into heroin, benzodiazepines, or prescription opioids like oxycodone, making them especially dangerous for users who may be unaware of what they are consuming.

These substances have been circulating in Scotland since 2022, but their increasing role in overdoses is only now coming into sharper focus. In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in heroin-related overdose reports, many of which are believed to have involved nitazenes.

Unlike traditional opioids, nitazenes are often produced in clandestine laboratories and do not have a legitimate medical use. Their unpredictable strength and the lack of consistent detection methods have made them a major challenge for public health agencies and emergency responders.

Rising Concerns and Need for Action

The RADAR report emphasizes that the emergence of synthetic opioids like nitazenes is creating new risks for drug users in Scotland and could be contributing to the rising number of fatalities. Health professionals are now urging for greater awareness, improved testing capabilities, and faster public health responses to address the growing threat.

Dr. Tara Shivaji, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS, said the presence of nitazenes is a “serious concern,” and emphasized the importance of real-time data sharing, community alerts, and harm reduction measures.

She added that frontline services, including drug treatment centers and emergency departments, need to be equipped to identify and respond to synthetic opioid overdoses quickly. This includes ensuring access to naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose — though it may be less effective against more potent synthetic opioids unless administered in larger doses.

A Call for Broader Solutions

Experts say that tackling this crisis will require not only clinical preparedness but also stronger collaboration between public health bodies, law enforcement, and communities. They warn that if the spread of nitazenes and other synthetic drugs continues unchecked, Scotland’s ongoing drug crisis could worsen even further.

In the meantime, health authorities are urging drug users to exercise extreme caution and to avoid using drugs alone, as the risk of sudden overdose from unknown synthetic substances remains high.

The RADAR report underscores the urgent need to adapt Scotland’s drug response strategies in light of these emerging threats — and to ensure that vulnerable individuals receive timely, effective support to prevent more lives from being lost.