30 July 2025
Public Health Scotland has published its quarterly Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) report.
Key findings include:
- There was a 15% increase in suspected drug deaths between March and May 2025
- There was a 45% increase in naloxone administration incidents between March and May 2025
- There was a 19% increase in drug-related emergency department attendances between March and May 2025
- There was an increase in drug treatment referrals of 13% between March and May 2025
- The report highlights ongoing shifts in Scotland’s drug markets with detections of street benzodiazepines continuing to decrease, while nitazene-type opioids are increasingly being identified
- Adulteration of heroin, benzodiazepines and oxycodone with nitazene-type opioids continues to be reported through testing data. With half of all Scottish samples submitted for testing to WEDINOS testing positive for more than just the purchase intent.
- The majority of harm involves the use of more than one substance with the average number of controlled drugs detected per sample was six in hospital and four in post-mortem toxicology.
- Among people who had an assessment for specialist drug treatment, powder cocaine was the most commonly reported main drug. And was the second most common drug found in post-mortem toxicology (after heroin).
Our statement
Louise Stewart, Director of Operations at WithYou in Scotland, says:
The latest RADAR report shows a devastating 15% increase in suspected drug deaths between March and May 2025. Many of these deaths could be attributed to drugs being contaminated with dangerous synthetic substances, including nitazenes and the risks posed by polydrug use.
“The Scottish Government must take urgent and targeted action to respond to the growing threat of synthetic substances. This should include introducing drug checking services in communities, increasing access to same-day opioid substitution therapy, further expanding naloxone programmes, and making safer drug consumption facilities, like The Thistle, available across the country.
“I would also like to see much more done around prevention. In order to reduce the number of people using substances as a response to adversity, we must improve the quality of life in our most deprived areas. This means investing in preventative community measures, appropriate housing and access to health and mental health services.
“Today, my thoughts are with all those who have lost a loved one. And my advice for anyone who is worried about their drug use, or that of someone close to them, is quite simply to get in touch with your local WithYou service.
“As well as our community-based services, we also offer a free, confidential Webchat. This can be a great first step in seeking support. Visit our website at wearewithyou.org.uk for expert advice.”
What are synthetic substances?
- Synthetic opioids, such as nitazenes or fentanyl, mirror the effects of other opioid drugs such as morphine and heroin but the effects will be felt more strongly from much smaller amounts.
- Today’s RADAR report shows that drugs, including heroin, are being contaminated with dangerous synthetic substances. Heroin, benzodiazepines and oxycodone are increasingly found to contain synthetic drugs like nitazenes, however other synthetic drugs are also being found, with ongoing alerts still active for:
- This is being done to ‘bulk up’ the supply, and the people buying and using drugs are often unaware that they are contaminated.
- This is worrying because drugs that are contaminated with synthetic substances can be much more potent than people are used to. Someone who has used heroin for years could find that, from a contaminated batch, a very small dose is fatal.
- Naloxone is a medicine that temporarily reverses the effects of drugs like heroin, morphine and methadone.
- People typically need between one or two doses to regain consciousness after an overdose - but we are hearing reports of people needing multiple doses after using a contaminated substance. We are therefore providing our clients with extra naloxone kits, and advising them to continue dosing until they see a response.
