Nitazines: Warning over drugs that can kill in tiny doses

“I think it’s the drug market making changes in response to law in other countries,” he told the BBC.

“Unfortunately what it has resulted in is some very, very dangerous drugs being mixed with usual street drugs which are causing significant issues.”

Mr Hobday said from experiences in Manchester, one of the major concerns with nitazines is the fact most users do not realise they are taking them until it is too late.

He said: “If it’s laced with nitazines in any way, shape or form it can have absolutely dire consequences in the form of overdose.

“And it only takes very, very small amounts and the issue is, particularly with fake prescription drugs, they can just look like normal drugs.”

Mr Hobday said people with drug addiction issues have been issues with testing strips which can give an indication if a substance has been laced with nitazines.

Police officers and other emergency services personnel have also been issues with Naloxone, a drug that can rapidly reverse an overdose.

However Mr Hobday said the only safe option is not to take illicit drugs.

“The risks are getting greater and greater so it’s never been a riskier time to be taking non-prescription drugs.”