Cole-Hamilton calls for stronger response to nitazenes ahead of Scottish Drugs Forum

Speaking ahead of the Scottish Drugs Forum on Wednesday 27th August, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has called on the SNP government to take strong action on the growing number of drug deaths caused by synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, which can be hundreds of times more powerful than heroin.

In December 2023, Mr Cole-Hamilton wrote to the Scottish Government's drugs minister to warn that experts were concerned about synthetic opioids which were expected to fill a global shortage of heroin.

In January 2024, Mr Cole-Hamilton MSP challenged then First Minister Humza Yousaf during First Minister’s Questions about his government’s real-terms cuts to the drugs budget despite the emerging use of nitazenes in Scotland.

He has subsequently raised the issue repeatedly in the Scottish Parliament and in the media, including securing a parliamentary statement on the matter in September 2024

In August, Public Health Scotland issued a warning about nitazenes after the drug was detected in 38 deaths between January and March 2025.

Speaking ahead of his appearance at the forum, Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“These are extremely dangerous drugs: they are cheap, easily purchased online, terrifyingly potent and often used to bulk out other drugs such as heroin.

“Nitazenes and other synthetic opioids are responsible for a growing number of deaths in Scotland, which is why I have repeatedly raised this issue in parliament and joined with campaigners in warning of their harms. We cannot afford to let this emerging threat get out of control.

“As a former youth worker, I have seen first-hand how the drug deaths crisis is devastating lives and communities. I was very proud that my party secured more support for drug services in the recent budget, including a new facility to help mothers and babies born addicted to drugs, but we cannot stop there.

“Scotland needs world-leading drug services. If we are to deliver them, the government urgently need to get on the front foot with nitazenes and other synthetic opioids, through enhanced information, detection and treatment.

"The Scottish Government should also move ahead with new drug checking facilities and rolling out a network of safer drug consumption rooms across the country, because help cannot just be limited to Glasgow.”