POLICE have issued a stark warning over a “Frankenstein” drug “300 times stronger than heroin” after four deaths in the same town.
The four victims are understood to have suffered medical episodes shortly after consuming what they believed to be heroin.
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Wiltshire Police fears the “potentially stronger” batch of drugs could contain Nitazenes, which pose “a substantial risk of overdose, drug-related hospitalisation and drug-related death”.
The man-made opioids can be up to 500 times stronger than heroin and 40 times more potent than fentanyl – a prolific killer in the US.
It comes after a man in his 40s died at the scene in The Parade, Swindon, after suffering a medical episode during the early hours of Sunday.
His death followed three other suspected drug related fatalities in the area since the beginning of May.
A statement from Wiltshire Police said: “Detectives investigating a potentially stronger than usual batch of drugs in the Swindon area are issuing an important warning to drug users.
“Since the start of May, the police and health professionals in Swindon have been alerted to a number of incidents where drug users have experienced very poor health from taking substances including heroin and cocaine, requiring medical attention.
“There is a new group of drugs called Nitazenes which pose a substantial risk of overdose, drug-related hospitalisation and drug-related death.
“The opioids are combined with street drugs including heroin, which users may not be aware contain Nitazene.”
Health professionals have urged anyone consuming drugs to “take extra care” and “alert family or friends” of anyone at risk of taking opioids.
Duty Supt Conway Duncan added: “We are in close contact with our colleagues in Public Health in relation to these circumstances and we are keen to ensure we protect people from harm where possible.
“Of course we would never advocate anyone taking illegal substances, however, we understand there are people with addictions and it is important that they are warned about the batch of drugs which appears to be circulating in Swindon.
“If you are a drug user in the Swindon area, we encourage users not to use alone and to carry the opioid reversal drug naloxone and be aware of the potentially fatal consequences.”
It comes as the number of deaths linked to the “Frankenstein opioids” has soared in recent months.
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Mick Fleming, 58, who runs Church on the Street, said it is already seeing an increase in fatalities possibly related to nitazenes.
The man-made opioids can be up to 500 times stronger than heroin and 40 times more potent than fentanyl – a prolific killer in the US.
“Nobody is buying a bag of nitazenes, that would be like buying a bag of death,” pastor Mick said.
Blaming the situation on nitazenes, Mick told The Mirror: “We don’t have any correct figures yet but we know it is horrendous.
“We’re seeing hardcore drug users overdose and die and that never happens because their bodies are tolerant and they know how to use.
“They don’t normally die. So when they start dropping dead you know there is something in the gear, and that’s what is happening.”
He added: “It’s a dire warning to all drug users but the public as well – you will see someone who has overdosed on the streets or in a toilet, if you haven’t seen it already.”
Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, said there have been at least 47 deaths in Scotland connected to the so-called nitazenes in the last nine months.
It adds to the 129 deaths recorded in England and Wales.
Mr Biggar earlier issued a warning in December, before any confirmed cases had been reported.
He says nitazenes are in danger of becoming “the major cause” of drug fatalities north of the border.
The NCA boss added: “That is a disproportionate number and links to the drug patterns we have seen for some time.
“Around 40 people die from opioids each week in Britain, 176 over nine months. It has the potential to escalate and become the major cause of deaths and for that proportion to be so much higher.”
Synthetic opioids side effects
Signs that someone may have taken one of these drugs:
- Small, narrowed pupils
- Reduced or loss of consciousness
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cold or clammy skin
- Blue or grey lips and fingernails
- Low blood pressure or decreased heart rate
- Anyone who has taken synthetic opioids and has any of these symptoms should call 999 and seek urgent medical help
Source: Talk to Frank
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