Scottish drug policy minister Maree Todd used a visit to Springburn Ambulance Station in Glasgow, marking International Overdose Awareness Day, to urge Scots who carry naloxone to have extra life-saving kits on hand as nitazenes threaten the drug supply.

Scotland’s take-home naloxone programme run by the Scottish Ambulance Service has distributed more than 4,000 kits to people who might need to administer the drug to a friend or family member while waiting for an ambulance. Since 2011, the national naloxone programme has handed out 205,650 kits.

Public Health Scotland earlier this month warned about nitazene after its detection in 38 deaths between January and March 2025. Ms Todd said: “Every drug death is a tragedy, and my condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one, on a day where we remember them.” She also praised frontline staff and added: “Due to the presence of an increasingly unpredictable drug supply of highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which raise the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death, I would urge anyone who carries naloxone to have extra life-saving kits with them so repeat doses can be given if required.” The government said it is providing record funding for drugs and alcohol programmes, widening access to treatment and opening safer drug consumption facilities and drug-checking facilities.