We want to bring to your attention Manchester Drug Analysis Exchange (MANDRAKE)’s latest drug alert. Round blue and yellow pills have been tested positive for containing nitazenes.
The warning has been issued by Manchester Drug Analysis Exchange (MANDRAKE), an organisation based at Manchester Metropolitan University who chemically analyse drugs across the city
⚠️WARNING!⚠️ 19 Dec 2024
— MANDRAKE (@MANDRAKE_LAB) December 19, 2024
Following testing by our scientists, a #harmreduction #warning, has been issued by #Greater #Manchester Drugs Early Warning System
Important #medical & #welfare guidance for #nitazene #intoxication
Stay safe and if unwell please seek medical attention pic.twitter.com/oHkftwtFps
What is Nitazanes?
Nitazenes are strong synthetic opioids and have no medical use. Common nitazenes include isotonitazene, metonitazene, etonitazene, protonitazene.
The potency of nitazenes leads to a high risk of overdose. According to the government report, Deaths linked to potent synthetic opioids between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024, 179 of these deaths involved one or more nitazenes. There were deaths confirmed as involving nitazenes in every region of England.
Eclypse’s resource on Drugs contaminated with nitazenes offers guidance and more information on how to stay cautious and seek help if you need medical attention.
Available support for students who take drugs
- There are free and anonymous drug testing kits available on campus, from the Students’ Union Advice Service.
- We share MANDRAKE drug alerts to Student News, so you know when substances in Manchester are being mis-sold or have contaminants in them.
- We offer an elearning module ‘Staying Safe’, a course about Alcohol and Other Drugs for Students
- Drug and Alcohol Peer Support (DAPS), run by students, for students, provides a place to talk openly about drug and alcohol use and find community. You can find out more on their Instagram here.
- Eclypse, a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for young people in Manchester are also available to speak to at the Students’ Union’s Advice Service.
You can also check out our new Policy on Harmful Use of Substances or Alcohol by Students.