AN ALERT has been raised over rapid drug overdoses in the region where heroin may have been contaminated with other substances.
Although not yet been confirmed by testing locally, these ‘sudden collapse’ overdoses where the overdose has occurred immediately upon injection come amid similar cases elsewhere in Scotland.
In those other cases, tests have also revealed the presence of synthetic opioids and/or animal tranquilisers, as well as other combinations of substances.
Dumfries and Galloway consultant in public health Chris Allan said: “We’re very keen that everybody is made aware of the current increased risk reflected by these overdose cases.“In these situations, the overdose has been almost immediate – with reduced breathing and rapid deterioration – and in cases in other areas people have very sadly died.”
He is advising people who use drugs to be extra vigilant, and to help reduce risks of harm my observing the following advice:
- Continue to engage with harm reduction services
- Treat all substances with caution, as you can’t be sure of what is in it or its strength
- Start low and go slow until you know the substance’s effects
- Seek medical help if you or someone else feels unwell
- Do not buy new types of drugs or new batches, and don’t buy from new sources
- Avoiding mixing drugs (including medicines)
- Try not to use drugs alone, or let friends use drugs alone
- Watch out for overdose signs like difficulty breathing, blue colouring to lips or fingertips, unresponsiveness and limp limbs.
Dr Allan added: “Ensuring ready access to Naloxone kits which can help to treat an overdose could be important. And due to the potency of synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which might be present, you may need to administer multiple doses of Naloxone.
“Naloxone should only be used if the person is overdosing and unresponsive. Even if you’re not sure if an opioid is present, Naloxone can be administered and will not cause harm.”
NHS Dumfries and Galloway say they are working with partners to gather more information, to raise awareness and to try and prevent further harms.
Anyone concerned about a drug, can independently and anonymously submit a sample for testing to the WEDINOS project: www.wedinos.org
For more information on drug and/or alcohol support services in Dumfries and Galloway visit www.dgadp.co.uk
And to awareness about a dangerous drug circulating in Dumfries and Galloway report incidents to Scotland’s Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response system (RADAR) at https://redcap.phs.scot.nhs.uk/surveys/?s=78N3H893CFHYCDHA
