31 January, 2025
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response quarterly report
January 2025
Main points
Drug-related harms decreased during the most recent quarter (September to November 2024). However, intelligence suggests the drug supply remains highly toxic and unpredictable, requiring ongoing vigilance and a heightened response. Significant disruptions and adaptations in the heroin and benzodiazepine markets, appear to be influencing levels and patterns of harm.
Key points
- Benzodiazepines: A decrease in bromazolam detections was observed in post-mortem and seizure toxicology sources. There was a slight increase in emergent benzodiazepines detected during this period including clonazolam and desalkylgidazepam.
- Heroin: Adulteration of heroin with synthetic substances, including nitazenes and xylazine, continued to be reported through RADAR reports and WEDINOS. These adulterants increase the risk of overdose and adverse effects and were associated with unpredictable reactions, including rapid onset overdose and difficulty reversing overdoses with naloxone.
- Cocaine: Cocaine remained the most frequently identified substance in both post-mortem toxicology and the ASSIST project, highlighting its leading role in harms.
Other stories
15 January, 2025
Event alert: Meaningful Engagement with Community Stakeholders in Research
Event alert: Meaningful Engagement with Community Stakeholders in Research
15 January, 2025
SCVO's Gathering 2025 - book your free places now!
SCVO's Gathering 2025 - book your free places now!
12 December, 2024