Calls for more life-saving naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdoses amid contaminated drugs supply fears

People are losing their lives in Scotland because of an increase in contaminated drugs supply.

Often called nita-zenes, the lab-made substances are mixed into street drugs and can be much stronger than heroin, causing a high risk of overdose.

With drug deaths expected to rise again this year, one charity is calling for more people to learn how to use life-saving naloxone kits.

Andy Brown spent 30 years trapped in a cycle of addiction and understands just how important naloxone is to reverse an opioid overdose.

He told STV News: “I actually went into hospital, well woke up in the hospital, and the doctors, somebody had to administer naloxone.

“I have had to administer it quite a few times to different people over the years. A few times I didn’t know how to use it and that resulted in somebody dying in my arms.

“I got trained as soon as I learned what it was and how it could help.”

Andy Brown is determined to help others STV News

Now in recovery, Andy is determined to help others struggling with addiction and show the support that is available.

“I know that I’ve got a lot to offer in life, and I’m doing a lot of different things to try to better myself to make up for lost time.”

On Wednesday, the latest drug death figures are set to be released, after 1,017 people died due to drug misuse in Scotland in 2024.

The figure is expected to rise due to the growing threat of drugs like synthetic opioids, with people often buying a street drug unaware it’s contaminated.

Fraser Hoggan says the drugs crisis 'is the worst we've seen' — Fraser Hoggan says the drugs crisis ‘is the worst we’ve seen’ STV News

Fraser Hoggan from Alcohol and Drugs Action said: “I think this is the worst we’ve seen, it’s not to say that it couldn’t get even more worse but it certainly feels like this is the worst we’ve seen, certainly in my experience in 30 years we’ve not seen anything quite like this before and fortunately having naloxone and having services that are available is really important.”

Simon Rayner, from Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, added: “Absolutely tiny amounts of those substances can cause a fatality very, very quickly, so it’s really scary and that’s one of the reasons that we were really keen that people understand that naloxone is available and is an effective way of reversing an overdose from those types of substances.”

The Scottish Government says the number of naloxone kits distributed is increasing and that its widening access to treatment and residential rehabs.

The annual statistics on drug related deaths are to be released on Wednesday.