The synthetic opioids claiming lives in the UK
Deaths from synthetic opioids such as nitazenes and fentanyl are low in the UK, but there are fears the problem could escalate and that figures don't show the true picture.
Deaths from synthetic opioids such as nitazenes and fentanyl are low in the UK but there are fears the problem could escalate and that figures don't show the true picture of the situation.
David Aaronovitch explores how dangerous these drugs are, why the opioid crisis is so bad in the US, where they come from and why a shortage of heroin in the UK could mean drug cartels switch to supplying these often fatal alternatives.
Guests:
Rick Treble, Forensic chemist, and advisor to the Government鈥檚 Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
Dr Caroline Copeland, Director of the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths
Alex Stevens, Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Kent
Sam Quinones, journalist and author of 'Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic'
Production team: Nick Holland, Kirsteen Knight and Charlotte McDonald
Production Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman
Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar
Editor: Penny Murphy
Last on
Broadcasts
- Thu 15 Feb 2024 20:00麻豆社 Radio 4
- Fri 16 Feb 2024 11:00麻豆社 Radio 4
Podcast
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The Briefing Room
David Aaronovitch presents in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.