Vic
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vickiac.bsky.social
Vic
@vickiac.bsky.social
88 followers 130 following 20 posts
Public health research and development. Drugs, NPS, all things psychoactive. UK.
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vickiac.bsky.social
Vic @vickiac.bsky.social · Apr 29
Key point thread on drug trends and harms in Scotland from RADAR @publichealthscot.bsky.social
1. Compared to last quarter, A&E attendances were down 9%, ambulance naloxone administrations were stable & suspected drug deaths were up 17%.
www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications...
Reposted by Vic
drugwise.bsky.social
RADAR alert issued on nitazenes and contamination of the drugs supply - publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/au...
August 12, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Reposted by Vic
crew2000.bsky.social
Synthetic opioids including nitazenes have been found in Scotland, and in the UK. We’ve created this update on Crew.Scot with information on what you can do!
Harm reduction, naloxone training and resources from Crew, SDF @scottishdrugsforum.bsky.social and RADAR @publichealthscot.bsky.social
On crew.scot/drug-alert-update-nitazenes/ there is a Drug Alert Update on a type of Synthetic Opioids called nitazenes. There is information on harm reduction, how to support in an overdose situation including how to book naloxone training and get a naloxone kit, as well as resources from SDF, RADAR and Crew.
August 12, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Reposted by Vic
publichealthscot.bsky.social
🚨 New RADAR alert re nitazines and synthetic opioids detected in Scotland’s unregulated drug supply.

👉 Read more about increasing availability, rising harms, and continuing concern.
publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/au...
Purple background with text 'RADAR, Rapid action drug alerts and response. Scotland's Drugs Early Warning System. on the left is a green and yellow radar symbol
August 12, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by Vic
publichealthscot.bsky.social
The report shows drug-related harms are higher compared to the previous quarter and highlights the serious impact of a rapidly evolving, toxic and unpredictable drug supply.

📊 Our infographics share some of the key figures.

View the full report 🔽
publichealthscotland.scot/publications...
Graphic titled 'RADAR Indicators of drug harms in Scotland' showing naloxone administrations from March to May 25. It reports 1,089 Scottish Ambulance Service naloxone administration incidents—45% higher than the previous quarter (752) and 9% higher than the same period last year (1,002). Graphic titled 'RADAR: Indicators of drug harms in Scotland' showing A&E attendances from March to May 25. It reports 1,062 drug-related emergency department attendances—19% higher than the previous quarter (891) and unchanged from the same period last year (1,062). Infographic from Public Health Scotland titled 'RADAR Indicators of drug harms in Scotland' showing suspected drug deaths from March to May 25. It reports 312 suspected drug deaths, averaging 24 per week—15% higher than the previous quarter (272) and 7% higher than the same period last year (291). Graphic for Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System, RADAR. It includes the text: 'RADAR – Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System. View the full RADAR report and find our current alerts at: publichealthscotland.scot/RADAR. Public Health Scotland.
July 29, 2025 at 12:38 PM
vickiac.bsky.social
@publichealthscot.bsky.social has published its latest report from RADAR:
publichealthscotland.scot/publications...

In this 12th quarterly report, we document rising levels of harm and a continued crisis.

In Mar-May 25, harms increased compared to the previous quarter...
July 29, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Reposted by Vic
publichealthscot.bsky.social
Our latest RADAR quarterly report shows increased levels of drug-related harm across Scotland, underlining the need for continued action.

📺 Hear from Dr Tara Shivaji, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland and Lead of RADAR.

More info 🔽
publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/ju...
July 29, 2025 at 11:40 AM
vickiac.bsky.social
Key point thread on drug trends and harms in Scotland from RADAR @publichealthscot.bsky.social
1. Compared to last quarter, A&E attendances were down 9%, ambulance naloxone administrations were stable & suspected drug deaths were up 17%.
www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications...
April 29, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Vic
drugwise.bsky.social
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly ​report Scotland - Adulteration of heroin with nitazene-type opioids continues to be reported through RADAR reports and WEDINOS. - publichealthscotland.scot/publications...
Main points - Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly ​report - April 2025 - Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly ​report - Publications - Public Health Scotland
Monitoring changes in drug trends, harms and use of services to inform immediate and short-term actions that reduce drug harms
publichealthscotland.scot
April 29, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Reposted by Vic
scottishdrugsforum.bsky.social
People have reported sudden collapse after injecting or smoking heroin, with a rapid onset of overdose. Further testing is underway to identify the specific drugs involved in these clusters #StopTheDeaths

Read more information here: sdf.org.uk/.../03/SDF-O...
March 27, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Reposted by Vic
alexstaniforth.bsky.social
IMPORTANT : there has been a rise of drug related harms in Scotland owing to heroin spiked with nitazenes. This makes it stronger than expected and overdoses more likely.

If you know someone at risk please carry naloxone if you can.

More info and advice here:
sdf.org.uk/wp-content/u...
sdf.org.uk
March 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Vic
darylsfad.bsky.social
@scottishdrugsforum.bsky.social have issues an alert about a sudden increase in overdoses among people using heroin in Scotland.

Read more here: sdf.org.uk/raised-conce...
Raised concerns after a sudden increase in overdoses among people using heroin in Scotland - Scottish Drugs Forum
To view and/or download the overdose alert resource – CLICK HERE There is concern about clusters of drug…
sdf.org.uk
March 14, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Reposted by Vic
drugwise.bsky.social
PHS urges caution after increase in sudden overdoses in Scotland.Some overdoses have been characterised by sudden, rapid collapse, with many requiring multiple doses of naloxone. Rapid testing has identified a nitazene-type opioid in some heroin samples www.publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/ma...
March 14, 2025 at 12:40 PM
vickiac.bsky.social
Scottish alert due to increase in heroin-related overdoses - marked by sudden collapse, requiring multiple doses of naloxone. Nitazenes detected in some heroin samples associated.
More from SDF: sdf.org.uk/raised-conce...
PHS statement: www.publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/ma...
Raised concerns after a sudden increase in overdoses among people using heroin in Scotland - Scottish Drugs Forum
To view and/or download the overdose alert resource – CLICK HERE There is concern about clusters of drug…
sdf.org.uk
March 14, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Reposted by Vic
steelewez.bsky.social
sdf.org.uk/raised-conce...
RAISED CONCERN AFTER RISE IN SUDDEN OVERDOSES IN PEOPLE USING HEROIN IN SCOTLAND - Scottish Drugs Forum
To view and/or download the overdose alert resource – CLICK HERE There is concern about clusters of drug…
sdf.org.uk
March 13, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Reposted by Vic
scottishdrugsforum.bsky.social
People have reported sudden collapse after injecting or smoking heroin, with a rapid onset of overdose. Further testing is underway to identify the specific drugs involved in these clusters.
RAISED CONCERN AFTER RISE IN SUDDEN OVERDOSES IN PEOPLE USING HEROIN IN SCOTLAND - Scottish Drugs Forum
To view and/or download the overdose alert resource – CLICK HERE There is concern about clusters of drug…
sdf.org.uk
March 13, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Reposted by Vic
scottishdrugsforum.bsky.social
Nitazenes have been found in heroin & benzodiazepines supplied in Scotland and may be present in other drugs including cocaine. Nitazenes are potent drugs and can cause overdose and death on their own or in combination with other drugs.

View the full suite of resources here: buff.ly/3Q65Lvw
February 12, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Reposted by Vic
scottishdrugsforum.bsky.social
Nitazenes have been found in heroin & benzodiazepines supplied in Scotland and may be present in other drugs including cocaine. Nitazenes are potent drugs and can cause overdose and death on their own or in combination with other drugs.

View the full suite of resources here: buff.ly/3Q65Lvw
February 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by Vic
markadley.bsky.social
Curious about nitazenes? Join Drug Science’s upcoming Street Drugs Discussions webinar to learn about this potent synthetic opioid.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/street-dru...
Street Drugs Discussions: Deep dive into Nitazenes
This webinar features a panel discussion discussing the rise of Nitazenes in the UK.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 29, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Reposted by Vic
joeschofield.bsky.social
10% decrease in suspected #DrugDeaths and drug-related A&E attendances in Sep-Nov 2024 compared to previous quarter. Encouraging, but ongoing harms, incl. presence of #cocaine among decedents. publichealthscotland.scot/publications...
Infographic reporting decrease in suspected drug deaths in Scotland September to November 2024. 10% lower than previous quarter. 15% lower than same period in 2023.
January 28, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Reposted by Vic
andcunningham.bsky.social
This is an excellent thread summarizing the results from Scotland’s drug Early Warning System, RADAR. A must-read for drug researchers interested in current trends in the UK.
January 28, 2025 at 9:29 PM
vickiac.bsky.social
What a milestone – 10 quarterly RADAR reports from Public Health Scotland
www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications...

10 key points on drug trends and harms in Scotland:

1. Service indicators (injecting equipment provision, opioid substitution therapy, treatment) were stable on the last quarter.
January 28, 2025 at 7:08 PM