URGENT UPDATE: New statistics reveal that a super potent opioid known as ‘pyro’, scientifically referred to as etonitazene, is linked to one in nine drug deaths in Scotland. This alarming development has been confirmed as the opioid has been detected in Glasgow and throughout the country, raising significant concerns among health officials.
Experts warn that pyro, which can be up to 800 times more potent than morphine, is fueling a troubling spike in drug-related fatalities. Between June and August of this year, 283 suspected drug deaths were reported, marking a staggering 12 percent increase compared to the same timeframe in 2024. The substance has been implicated in 28 overdose deaths in the first quarter of 2025 alone, with an alarming 68 deaths recorded between April and June, accounting for 11 percent of total drug-related fatalities during that period.
Authorities point to the rapid decline of nitazenes from the body, suggesting that the actual figures may be even higher. Public Health Scotland has confirmed that heroin samples in Glasgow have tested positive for this dangerous substance, prompting immediate action from health officials. The agency released images of contaminated drugs, highlighting the urgent need for awareness.
Professor Andrew McAuley, a leading drugs expert at Glasgow Caledonian University, noted that Scotland typically experiences sudden “waves” of nitazene-contaminated drugs rather than a steady supply. He indicated that the recent influx of contaminated “green heroin” around Easter led to a significant rise in ambulance calls and overdose incidents.
“This wave seemed to be a bit more significant in terms of the numbers of areas involved,” Professor McAuley stated. “It wasn’t just concentrated in a couple of areas; it was found in both the west and east coasts, involving larger numbers. Then it seeped away again, so it does come and go. But the worrying thing for me is that each time we see it escalate.”
The emergence of pyro is reminiscent of the devastating impact of fentanyl in the United States, where similar synthetic opioids have wreaked havoc on communities. The contaminated drugs often exceed the potency of heroin by hundreds of times, exacerbating the crisis further.
In its latest quarterly drugs report, Public Health Scotland’s Radar team confirmed that detections of nitazene-type opioids in drug-related deaths have reached an all-time high. In the second quarter of 2025, detections surged to 12 percent, with etonitazene identified in 68 deaths alone.
As Scotland grapples with this escalating crisis, health officials urge the public to remain vigilant. The potential for further increases in overdose incidents is high, making immediate awareness and response crucial.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as authorities continue to monitor the situation. Your awareness could save lives.
