Research indicates that deaths from nitazenes, a potent synthetic opioid, in the UK may be underestimated by up to one-third due to missed detection in toxicology tests.
Research from King’s College London suggests that the number of deaths linked to nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioids much stronger than heroin, may be significantly underreported in the UK. Although the National Crime Agency reported 333 deaths attributed to these substances in 2024, the actual figure could be considerably higher. The findings highlight potential flaws in postmortem toxicology tests where samples of the drug may not be identified, leading to an inaccurate count of fatalities.
Nitazenes were initially developed in the 1950s as painkillers but were discontinued due to their high addiction risk and potency. Researchers discovered that when testing postmortem samples from overdose cases, only about 14% of nitazene was detectable, indicating a serious issue with the reliability of toxicology tests. This raises alarm about the growing problem of synthetic opioid abuse in the UK and the ability of health and law enforcement to respond effectively.
The implications of this study are profound, as they suggest that the UK may be facing a hidden epidemic of opioid-related deaths, exacerbated by the increasing prevalence of nitazenes. As policies and prevention strategies are developed, it is vital for agencies to account for the potentially underestimated risks posed by these synthetic drugs, ensuring that public health interventions can effectively address this escalating crisis.
