The introduction of super-strength man-made opioids has made it more perilous to take drugs, according to police and public health leaders. Nitazines can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin, and although they may be mixed with other drugs, drug suppliers often take advantage of individuals addicted to prescription drugs by selling them fake pills that contain the nitazine substance.
Vulnerable Tameside man Harry Durose died on March 2 after taking what the police suspect to have been fake Valium laced with nitazines. The force believes three other deaths have been connected to the drug, although it may take a while for the test findings to come through. In March, the BBC revealed that Durose was prescribed with diazepam for his chronic condition caused by hypermobility.
Det Supt Joseph Harrop, who is in charge of organised crime at Greater Manchester Police, disclosed that the potentially fatal substance is believed to be produced in China and then imported to the UK. The Nitazine supply is like any other organised crime, if synthetic opioid substances are more cost-effective, easier to produce, and lucrative, then criminals will produce and sell them.
Nitazines are extremely potent, and public health leaders have described their introduction to the UK market as a result of the drop in heroin production following Afghanistan’s decision to reduce opium poppy production. Fentanyl was used as an alternative, but the drug was banned by the Chinese authorities, leading to the discovery of nitazines on the streets.
There is deep concern that most nitazine users are not aware that they are consuming the substance until it is too late. Although testing strips are available to detect nitazines, many drug addicts miss out on this. Even though emergency services staff can offer a drug that rapidly reverses an overdose, to stay safe, drug addicts are advised not to take illicit drugs as the risk is getting more significant.
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