Drug testing kits need rolled out urgently

Facilities to test whether street drugs are laced with deadly synthetic opioids should be available throughout Scotland, campaigners have urged.

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It comes as rising numbers of drug deaths and overdoses are being linked to lab-made drugs like fentanyl-up to 50 times stronger than heroin.

The opioids are so strong they can cause drug users to overdose instantly.

Drug-checking services (DCS) have been proposed last summer as part of a pilot scheme.

However, the plans-which would allow drug users to test what's in their drugs-have been in limbo for more than a year as the Home Office is yet to approve them, our sister paper The Sunday Mail reports.