Warning issued after two suspected opioid deaths

Ealing Council and local nightclubs have issued urgent warnings following the suspected drug overdose deaths of a 28-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman in Southall on May 26. The victims reportedly took green pills marked with the number 80 and possibly "OP," which drug testing charity The Loop identified as Nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioids that can be 50 to 500 times more potent than heroin. The Metropolitan Police are actively investigating the deaths but have not made any arrests as of yet. The Loop reported multiple hospitalizations linked to these pills across various London venues, raising significant alarm among local health officials. Ealing Council urged residents to avoid consuming these pills and recommended carrying naloxone, an antidote for opioid overdoses, to mitigate risks.

Recent data indicated that there were 18 deaths connected to Nitazenes in London from May 2023 to June 2024, highlighting the growing danger of these substances. Officials emphasized the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if someone feels unwell after drug use. The ongoing crisis surrounding synthetic opioids underscores the need for awareness and harm reduction strategies in the community.