The substance has been present in heroin, hashish, and black market tablets offered because the anti-anxiety drug diazepam
A person died after overdosing on a avenue drug many instances stronger than heroin, an inquest has concluded. Gareth Jamie Thomas, 49, was discovered useless on Might 11 final yr at his residence in Trecynon, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Pontypridd Coroners’ Courtroom heard Mr Thomas’ mom discovered his physique at his handle in Meirion Road. He was mendacity on the ground of his bed room with an uncapped hypodermic needle between his enamel and there was drug paraphernalia on the property.
Coroner Patricia Morgan mentioned: “Gareth Jamie Thomas had a identified historical past of utilizing illicit medication and had been below the care of drug and alcohol providers prior to now.”
She added: “A autopsy recognized that he possible died as the results of ingestion of deadly ranges of heroin and protonitazene.”
Protonitazene is a sort of nitazene, which is a bunch of super-strength artificial opioids. 4 out of six inmate deaths at Bridgend’s Parc jail in February and March final yr have been considered linked to nitazenes, South Wales Police mentioned on the time.
Nitazenes have been initially developed as a painkiller however have by no means been accepted to be used as a medication within the UK.
Final yr the Lancet medical journal reported considerations that nitazenes might “herald a second wave for the UK drug-related demise disaster”.
Within the earlier six months the UK Nationwide Crime Company had reported 54 deaths the place nitazenes have been detected in autopsy toxicology.
However the Lancet reported that “that is possible the tip of the iceberg as many exams are nonetheless in course of and rising medication will not be routinely examined for”.
Based on the journal nitazenes might be between 50 and 500 instances stronger than heroin. Protonitazene, the drug present in Mr Thomas’ system, was reported to be 100 instances stronger.
In late 2023 a number of forms of nitazene – together with protonitazene – have been labeled as Class A medication.
Nitazenes have been first detected within the UK from white powder discovered behind a Wakefield taxi in 2021 they usually have since been present in heroin, hashish, and black market tablets offered because the anti-anxiety drug diazepam.
In Mr Thomas’ documentary inquest Ms Morgan recorded a conclusion of a drug-related demise.
The court docket heard Mr Thomas was born in Malta and had a spouse. Ms Morgan expressed condolences to his household.
