Drugs are changing: Recreational drug users warned about contaminated street and online drugs
21 July 2025
With a rise in drug overdoses, a strong message that drugs are changing has been issued by health leaders. Alongside drug experts, they are warning of contaminated drugs circulating at festivals and parties over the summer and beyond.
North and West Northamptonshire Council Public Health teams are issuing a stark health warning: 'When you buy street or online drugs you can’t be sure what is in them or the effect they will have on you. Some contaminated drugs can be as much as ten times stronger and can be extremely dangerous.'
At this time of year, our attention is drawn to social and public events and especially the festivals season and the associated risks of drug-taking in these settings. Festivals are a particular setting of concern given there can be a number of street drugs circulating at these events, and those that take them may be inexperienced or experimenting for the first time, and so have low tolerance.Jane Bethea, Director of Public Health in North Northamptonshire
The risks to inexperienced or recreational drug users are increased by the rapidly changing drug market. One of the greatest concerns is the risk of potent synthetic opioids, such as nitazenes, being mis-sold in the form of fake oxycodone or benzodiazepine tablets. This risk is not limited to these drug types, and exists across a broad range of drugs.
We are also seeing a high availability of cases of contaminated ketamine and dangerous drugs being missold to users as lower risk substances. For example, synthetic cannabinoids (that are even more harmful than cannabis) are commonly mis-sold as THC in vapes.
The advice is always to stay away from illicit drugs, but it is important to issue this advice to raise awareness among those who choose to take these street drugs which can be contaminated with synthetic opioids. These can cause serious harm and even death. They are known to have led to accidental overdoses and deaths of people in several areas across the UK in the last year.
Advice and guidance on reducing risks as well as more information about Nitazenes, can be found on Change Grow Live’s website.
Our duty as directors of Public Health is to preserve life and reduce harm to the communities we serve.Chloe Gay, Director of Public Health at West Northamptonshire Council
There have been overdoses and deaths of people across the county and country from heroin and other drugs that have been mixed with these synthetic nitazenes.
Your drugs may look the same, even if they are contaminated so I urge all recreational drug users to stop and think, and if they go ahead then to abide by the advice.
Using illicit drugs is, and has always been, risky and dangerous. My message is to avoid using them altogether but if there is anyone you know that might be doing so then I urge you to listen hard to the Directors' of Public Health in their messaging. It is within their remit to protect the lives of the residents of this county. They know the risks out there because they are informed when the coroners' report reveals a cause of death. When they speak, we have a duty as residents of this county to listen. Please share their advice, it could save a life.Cllr Brian Benneyworth, Executive Member for Health and Leisure at North Northamptonshire Council
My message is clear - avoid using illicit drugs. However, we are aware that people may be travelling in and out of the county this summer to attend events. It is vital that everyone is made aware of the simple message, drugs are changing, and people should know the related guidance and share this information with their friends and family. It could save you or a friend’s life.Cllr Laura Couse, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services at West Northamptonshire Council
Considering the new information around contaminated drugs, if you are using drugs, the way you use needs to change to avoid overdose; use less, go slow, make sure that someone you trust is nearby, and ensure you have Naloxone. If you need help or support, reach out; we are here to help. Change Grow Live | Charity | We can help you change your lifeAlesha Watkins, Partnership Development Manager, Change Grow Live
Drugs are changing and are often mis-sold – they frequently do not contain the substance you intend to buy and may also contain synthetic substances such as spice, synthetic opioids/nitazines.Zoe Church- Wood, Service Manager with Ngage with Aquarius
To stay safe this summer and reduce your risk of an overdose, please take extra precautions if using any type of drug. It is safe practice to assume any drug you may take could be something else.