Did you know?
Drugs are increasingly cut with dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which have killed 100s of people in the UK in the past year. This is happening in a wide range of drugs, not just heroin, and you can never really know what is in any street or counterfeit drug.
Xylazine has recently been detected in the UK drug market. It is a non-opioid sedative and muscle relaxant sold as or found in other drugs like heroin, but recently it has been found in Ketamine too.
The effects include sedation, loss of co-ordination, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure and slowed heart rate. Xylazine has been linked to skin wounds, lesions and ulcers that can become infected, increasing the risk of Blood-borne Viruses.
Synthetic opioid drugs called nitazenes have also recently been detected in the European and UK drug supply. there are many different types of nitazenes including metonitazene, N-pyrrolidino-etonitazene (NPE), etonitazepyne, etonitazene, isotonitazene and protonitazene. Most often they may be sold as or found in other drugs.
They have been found been found in powders (brown/yellow/white), contaminated heroin and pills/tablets such as Diazepam (a benzodiazepine) and liquids, including nasal sprays. There is also a concern that nitazenes could be found in other drugs, such as cocaine, due to accidental cross contamination.
Ketamine
What is it? Ketamine is sold as a grainy white or light brown powder. Looks similar to cocaine but is a very different drug
How might it make me feel? Detached, happy, chilled and/or anxious, confused, ‘tripped out’.
Effects on your body: Memory loss, nausea, depression, numb so you can’t feel pain.
How long does it take to work? 15-20 minutes on average
How long do the effects last? 30 minutes to an hour on average
Because you don't feel pain properly when you've taken ketamine, you can injure yourself and not know it. Mixing with alcohol, benzos, or opiates is dangerous. Never use without being with other people you trust.
NOS (Balloons)
What is it? NOS is a colourless gas sold in canisters, usually inhaled using a balloon.
How might it make me feel? Relaxed, giggly, sound distortions and/or dizzy, anxious, paranoid.
Effects on your body: Can give you a headache and/or stop you thinking straight.
How long does it take to work? Usually immediately.
How long do the effects last?1 - 2 mins on average.
It’s more dangerous inhaling directly from the canister. It can be hard to judge how many balloons to use. Too much nitrous oxide can make you faint, lose consciousness, or suffocate.
Cocaine
What is it? A white powder stimulant that is normally snorted or rubbed into the gums.
How might it make me feel? Excited, confident and/or anxious, happy, panicky, risk-taking.
Effects on your body: Faster heart rate, raised body temperature, feel sick and/or want to go to the toilet more.
How long does it take to work? 5 - 30 mins on average.
How long do the effects last? 30 mins - 40 mins on average.
Anyone can have a panic attack, heart attack and/or stroke if they take too much cocaine. Regular use can make you feel depressed and run down.
Ecstasy/MDMA
What is it? A recreational/club drug taken as ecstasy pills or as MDMA powder.
How might it make me feel? ‘Loved-up’, alert, energised and/or anxious, panicky, paranoid.
Effects on your body: Tingly, confused, faster heart rate, higher body temperature.
How long does it take to work? 20 - 30 mins on average.
How long do the effects last? 2 - 4 hours on average.
Common risks include overheating and/or dehydration. Drinking too much water to cool down can also be dangerous. Taking a whole pill in one go is dangerous because you don’t know how strong it is.
Cannabis
What is it? Cannabis is a plant-based drug. It can be smoked, eaten or vaped.
How might it make me feel? ‘Stoned’, happy, giggly and/or sleepy, confused, paranoid.
Effects on your body: Can make some people feel sick and hallucinate.
How long does it take to work? 1-2 mins on average when smoking. Takes longer to work when eaten - about 45 mins on average.
How long do the effects last? 40 mins - 1 hour on average when smoking.
Cannabis can affect your mental health, especially if you take a lot. Smoking with tobacco increases risk from both drugs. Driving when stoned or high can double your chances of having a serious, or even fatal car crash.
Magic Mushrooms
What is it? ‘Shrooms or ‘magic mushrooms’ grow in the wild. They can be swallowed or made into tea.
How might it make me feel? Giggly, excited, confused and/or paranoid, anxious, overwhelmed.
Effects on your body: Nausea/vomiting, distortion of sound and vision - hallucinations and ‘tripping’.
How long does it take to work? Can take more than 30 mins to work so wait before you take another dose.
How long do the effects last? The effects can last up to 5 hours.
Eating a poisonous mushroom by mistake is a big risk if you don’t know what you’re eating. If you feel unhappy or are with people you don’t trust, then you’re more likely to have a bad time.
Vapes
What is it? Vapes are electronic devices designed to allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour. Using a vape is known as vaping. Vapes are also available without nicotine.
How might it make me feel? Dizzy, headache, nauseous or mildly stimulated, relaxed.
Effects on your body: Increased blood pressure and heart rate, faster breathing.
How long does it take to work? Effects peak 5 - 10 minutes after your first puff
How long do the effects last? The effects last two to three hours after your last puff.
Nicotine makes the heart beat much faster. This can make you feel nauseous/sick the first time you use it. Nicotine is addictive and can be hard to stop using once you’ve started. Vaping is a lot less harmful than smoking but it doesn’t mean it’s harmless.
Benzos
What is it? Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs that can be used to treat anxiety. ‘Street benzos’ are illicit drugs that are similar but can be far more dangerous. Some drugs are increasingly cut with dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which have killed 100s of people in the UK in the past year. This is happening in a wide range of drugs, not just heroin, and you can never really know what is in any street or counterfeit drug.
How might it make me feel? Sleepy, relaxed, calm and or confused, and disorientated.
Effects on your body: Could make you unsteady on your feet, have slower reflexes.
How long does it take to work? Depending on the type of benzo, takes around 30 mins.
How long do the effects last? Around 1-4 hours depending on type of benzo taken.
Taking benzos can make you drowsy, dizzy and sometimes aggressive. Taking benzos with alcohol is dangerous because this is two sedatives actively mixing together.