Nitazenes in drug supply lead to minister’s ‘life-saving’ naloxone plea

Scots who carry naloxone are being urged to have “extra life-saving kits” of the drug to hand, with a warning that “dangerous” synthetic opioids such as nitazenes mean repeat doses may be needed.

Drug and alcohol policy minister Maree Todd issued the advice after being shown how to administer naloxone – which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose – during a visit to an ambulance station in Glasgow.

The Scottish Ambulance Service’s take home naloxone programme has already given out more than 4,000 naloxone kits to those who might need to give the drug to a friend or family member in the event of an overdose.

They can administer naloxone while they wait for an ambulance to arrive.

The drug naloxone, seen here in nasal spray form, can be used to temporarily reverse an opioid overdose (Jeff J Mitchell/PA). PA Media

Between 2011 and the end of last year, 205,650 naloxone kits were handed out as part of Scotland’s national naloxone programme.

Todd was shown how to administer the drug as she visited Springburn Ambulance Station to mark International Overdose Awareness Day on Sunday.

It comes after Public Health Scotland issued a warning about the synthetic opioid nitazene earlier this month, after the drug was detected in 38 deaths between January and March 2025.

Todd said: “Every drug death is a tragedy, and my condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one, on a day where we remember them.”

Maree Todd said she is ‘determined’ to tackle the harm caused by drugs (PA). PA Media

She praised the Scottish Ambulance Service and others whose work has been “instrumental in saving lives, especially at a time when naloxone has become even more important”.

The minister added: “Due to the presence of an increasingly unpredictable drug supply of highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which raise the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death, I would urge anyone who carries naloxone to have extra life-saving kits with them so repeat doses can be given if required.”

She stressed she is “grateful for the hard work of all the staff who provide this vital frontline service”, and was also “very pleased to hear about the continued progress in delivery and to be shown how to use the naloxone kits”.

Todd said she and the Scottish Government are “determined to do even more to tackle the harm caused by drugs”.

She added: “That’s why we are providing record levels of funding for drugs and alcohol programmes, including widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone.

“We have also supported and funded the opening of the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility, and are working at pace to deliver drug-checking facilities.”