New synthetic opioids banned by UK Government in bid to prevent drug deaths

dailyrecord.co.uk:

New synthetic opioids have been banned by the UK Government in a bid to prevent drug deaths.Some 15 additional synthetic opioids, including 14 nitazenes, are now controlled as Class A drugs.Anyone involved in production or supply of these drugs could face life in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.It comes after figures showed the number of Scots battling opioid addictions has flatlined in recent years despite repeated government pledges to help those with drug dependenciesThe synthetic drugs which have been banned can be 50 times as addictive as heroin.Scotland has the worst drug deaths in Europe.UK Government Scotland Office minister John Lamont said: “Super-strong synthetic opioids have been posing a growing threat in Scotland and we hope their elevation today to Class-A banned substances will act as a further deterrent.“Illegal drugs destroy lives and devastate communities.

We are committed to preventing drug use by supporting people through treatment and recovery and tackling the supply of illegal drugs, as set out in our 10-year Drug Strategy backed by a record £3billion funding.”Statistics published last week showed that the number of suspected drug deaths in Scotland rose by 10 per cent last year.There were 1,197 suspected drug deaths between January and December 2023, 105 more than during the same period in 2022.

A report out yesterday from Public Health Scotland found estimated 47,100 people in Scotland in 2019/2020 were hooked on substances such as heroin or medicines like methadone.

The figures were described as "relatively stable" compared to the total number of addicts in 2014/15. The report also found Scotland’s rate of opioid dependence was 1.32 per cent per head of population - significantly higher than