The UK is facing a looming crisis with the potential arrival of a new generation of synthetic drugs notorious for causing severe physical damage and addiction. According to the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), these drugs, currently devastating communities in the United States, pose a significant threat to the UK if the government does not take immediate action.

America’s “Zombie” Drug Crisis

The drug known as “tranq,” which combines the animal tranquilliser xylazine with the opioid fentanyl, has been flagged as an “emerging threat” by the White House. This drug is infamous for its debilitating effects, including causing flesh-eating sores on users’ skin, leading to its nickname, the “zombie” drug. King’s College, London has warned that this public health threat has already expanded to the United Kingdom.

Urgent Call for Government Action

Andy Cook, the chief executive of the CSJ, has stressed the urgency of the situation: “Unless the government wakes up fast, these new synthetic drugs like tranq risk turning parts of Britain into a zombie nation.” CSJ researcher Alexandra Galvin, who has witnessed the devastating impact of the drug in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighbourhood, is calling for urgent preventative measures in the UK. She describes the horrifying scene where “hundreds of people lie sprawling in the street, their bodies marked with wounds that refuse to heal. The air reeks of rotting flesh in the hot Pennsylvania sun.”

The Rising Danger of Synthetic Opioids

Galvin emphasises that the drug market is evolving, with synthetic opioids becoming stronger and more deadly. “Deaths from drug poisoning in England and Wales now stand at their highest recorded levels. Opiate deaths from new synthetic drugs are 12 times higher than last year,” she notes. Although overall illegal drug use has declined, the number of individuals experiencing serious harms, including death, has increased.

Nitazenes: The New Deadly Threat

This year, the BBC reported the emergence of nitazenes, laboratory-manufactured drugs more dangerous than heroin, being advertised on social media and smuggled into the UK in dog food and catering supplies. Galvin points out that while 14 nitazenes were classified as Class A drugs earlier this summer, “regulation is always one step behind.” On average, nitazenes have been linked to nearly three UK deaths a week.

The Cost of Drug Misuse

The CSJ’s December report highlighted that drug misuse costs the Treasury an estimated £20 billion per year. The government recognizes the severity of the threat posed by synthetic opioids. A spokeswoman stated, “The new Government is deeply concerned about the threat of synthetic opioids and is determined to prevent these highly dangerous substances from reaching our communities and to protect the vulnerable people most at risk.”

Government’s Response

The government’s strategy to combat the threat involves a cross-departmental task force, including officials from the Home Office, the Department of Health and Social Care, the National Crime Agency, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and Border Force. The spokeswoman added, “We will continue our engagement with partners across health, policing, and wider public services to drive down drug misuse, and move forward with our mission to make streets safer.”

The potential arrival of synthetic drugs such as tranq and nitazenes presents a significant public health threat to the UK. Immediate and coordinated action from the government and public health officials is crucial to prevent the devastating impact seen in the United States.

Source: Express