Cops to carry antidote to super-strong killer drugs

Pilot scheme to combat deadly nitazenes

- NEAL KEELING

POLICE are to launch a pilot scheme in which officers would carry an 'antidote' to super-strength drugs containing nitazenes, which have been linked to 100 deaths across the UK since last summer.

Nitazenes are a group of synthetic opiate drugs which can be more potent than fentanyl, and their use is spreading across Europe and North America, the United Nations drug agency has warned.

They have been detected in the UK, US, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Belgium and Canada, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) wrote last month in its latest World Drug Report.

In April the government classified 15 types of nitazenes as Class A drugs, with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs warning they are highly addictive and pose a greater risk of overdose.

It is feared the substances may be bought and consumed unwittingly by people who think they are purchasing prescription drugs like diazepam from suppliers in countries such as China.

Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop told the M.E.N that GMP is to launch a pilot scheme in which officers would carry an 'antidote' to superstrength drugs containing nitazenes, which have been linked to 100 deaths across the UK since last summer.

He said the new drug strategy is about prevention, treatment and diversion.

"We are looking at launching a pilot where some officers in high risk drug areas would carry naloxone which is an antidote to opioids," he added.

"At the moment there is little evidence to say nitazenes use is widespread in Manchester but there is a national issue with it. I do imagine it will get more widespread."