Medetomidine, which is way stronger than the infamous xylazine, is commonly mis-sold as heroin or benzodiazepines.
Deadly new veterinary sedatives and ‘jelly’ tablets are flooding Scottish streets. (Picture: Recovered)
Public well being chiefs have issued pressing warnings over a potent animal tranquiliser permeating Scotland’s drug provide, branded a possible ‘killer’ amid fears of widespread overdoses. Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative far stronger than the infamous xylazine, has emerged in road medicine, typically mis-sold as heroin or benzodiazepines.
Customers are seemingly consuming it unknowingly, heightening dangers of extreme hurt and deadly overdoses, based on alerts from Public Well being Scotland (PHS). The substance is a part of a double alert launched as we speak by way of the Fast Motion Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) system, led by PHS. It highlights medetomidine as a ‘new xylazine-type drug’ detected within the Scottish provide, posing an elevated overdose menace on account of its efficiency.
Scotland’s drug market has been described as ‘extremely poisonous and unpredictable’ (Picture: Getty)
A second alert flags shifts on the street benzodiazepine market, with potent substances like clonazolam re-emerging. Linked to excessive dangers from its energy, the drug could cause reminiscence loss and lethal overdoses. New kinds, together with ‘jelly capsules’, are additionally showing, including to the unpredictability.
These warnings come towards a backdrop of a ‘extremely poisonous and unpredictable’ drug market throughout Scotland, the place contamination is ramping up harms. The alerts purpose to boost consciousness amongst customers and help providers.
The broader context is printed within the RADAR Quarterly Report for January/February 2026, which notes a drop in drug-related deaths in areas like Glasgow final 12 months, however stresses the market stays ‘unstable and quickly evolving’.
Tara Shivaji, Advisor in Public Well being Medication at PHS, stated: “Throughout 2025, we noticed a sample of sudden and sharp will increase in drug-related harms and an unstable, quickly evolving drug provide in Scotland.
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Footage exhibits underground medicine community in Gateshead
“We advise anybody who’s utilizing road medicine, or supporting another person who’s, to imagine that they’re contaminated with different medicine. Having somebody who can assist in an emergency is a crucial hurt discount measure, however there’s no secure option to take these substances.
“PHS, by RADAR, identifies new and rising drug harms. Most not too long ago, we’ve got developed the brand new Databelt system in partnership with Police Scotland, which is remodeling the way in which suspected drug-related deaths are recognized and used to help nationwide and native responses.
“It’s crucial that our collective efforts proceed as we work to scale back hurt from medicine. There are a lot of well being providers that may present help for individuals affected by medicine in Scotland; for extra data please go to NHS inform.”
The alerts comply with earlier warnings, together with one final week about new road medicine amid excessive hospital admissions and deaths. In September final 12 months, one other alert was issued after a person’s loss of life and a number of other sicknesses within the metropolis.
Nationwide Information of Scotland figures present 185 drug misuse deaths in Glasgow in 2024, a 24.8% fall from 246 in 2023. But specialists warn the decline masks ongoing risks from contaminated provides.
PHS urges warning, emphasising no secure use for these substances. The multi-agency RADAR system continues monitoring to flag rising threats swiftly.
As reported by the Glasgow Instances, over 40 novel substances have appeared within the benzo market, compounding dangers in an already risky scene.
Well being officers stress vigilance: assume contamination, search assist, and use naloxone the place attainable to reverse opioid overdoses. Help is accessible by way of NHS providers nationwide.
With the drug panorama shifting quick, these alerts underscore the deadly gamble of road provides – a stark reminder that one hit might kill.
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