Synthetic opioids drive sharp rise in Scottish drug deaths
Drug-related deaths in Scotland rose 11% in 2025, with new nitazene opioids contributing to the increase.
New forms of powerful synthetic opioids known as nitazenes have contributed to a sharp rise in drug deaths in Scotland, according to figures released by National Records of Scotland (NRS), as reported by The Guardian.
NRS recorded 1,133 drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2025, an 11% increase, or 116 more deaths, compared with the previous year. The 2025 total is the sixth-highest on record, according to the report.
Rising presence of nitazenes
The Guardian's report attributes part of the increase to the growing presence of nitazenes in Scotland's illicit drug market. Nitazenes are a class of synthetic opioids that can be significantly more potent than other opioids, raising the risk of fatal overdose.
The figures were released on Wednesday by National Records of Scotland, the agency responsible for tracking vital statistics including drug-related deaths in the country.
Scotland has recorded among the highest drug death rates in Europe in recent years, a trend that has prompted ongoing public health responses from Scottish authorities.
Sources
- New powerful synthetic opioids behind sharp rise in Scottish drugs deaths — The Guardian — World
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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