Warnings have been issued about a potential “fentanyl-style epidemic” concerning fake and laced benzos in the UK. Pill Report and The Loop, which are harm reduction services, warn that street benzos may contain alternative compounds, which are described as a “super-strength opioid”. Two compounds, which are known to these services, are Bromazolam, a medication that has failed to gain approval for usage, and nitazene, a synthetic opioid that allegedly has a strength level “around 1000x the level of heroin”. Pill Report has warned that 47.1% of American clubbers, who are aged between 18 and 29, have used “non-prescribed” benzo-like drugs in the past four months.
According to Pill Report, the UK is currently entering a “high-risk” phase due to the prevalence of fake and laced benzos, which could cause “thousands of overdoses and deaths” if fentanyl-esque compounds work their way into other drugs as it has in the US. The Loop has also warned about the rise of nitazenes, a trend that is termed an “emerging public health risk”. They added: “The UK drugs market has been changing and there are now a range of higher risk substances circulating”. They believe that adulteration in the heroin market is widespread and applies equally to illegally bought “prescription” benzodiazepines and opioid pills.
The harm reduction services advise individuals to get their drugs tested at services such as The Loop, MANDRAKE or WEDINOS, all of which are located in the UK. They have also suggested obtaining Naxolone spray to reverse the effects of a potential opioid overdose. Naxolone is free, and you can get it at any local drugs service according to the Loop. They have also recommended being cautious of blister packaging or branded names such as Bensedin or Actavis, because they can easily be faked. The service suggests using Valerian pills instead of benzos as a natural remedy. Concerned individuals are urged to call 999 if in doubt, and an ambulance will be sent, as police do not routinely answer such calls.
The Loop was launched in January as the UK’s first regular drug-checking service. It runs every last Saturday of the month in Bristol and is anonymous, free and non-judgemental. The services offered by The Loop will also signpost users to further drug treatment and health services. They advise looking out for “unexpected reactions”, such as “sudden loss of consciousness, memory loss, and blackouts”, due to the circulation of high-risk substances in the UK market
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