The hospitality sector in and around London has been put on high alert following two deaths and other instances of serious harm caused by new illegal drugs.
Central London Turning Point, which assists and supports drug and alcohol users, has issued the warning about pills marked as oxycodone and containing fatal doses of synthetic opioids.
Westminster licensing authority alerted professionals involved in the nighttime economy and put in place the verified drug alert, initially running through June, to raise awareness of this new threat. The warning has been promoted through the Local Professional Information Network (PIN) and the Local Drug Information System (LDIS) panel, and this swift and concerted action highlights the deep concern of authorities over this drug.
The two fatal overdoses occurred in Southall, in West London, and a third person was sick and subsequently hospitalised, but has now recovered. The warning states that the deceased reported dizziness and tiredness prior to their death and stresses the danger of these drugs and the inconsistency of distribution within batches.
While there have been no reported incidents involving the Oxycodone-marked pills within Central London, the potential for further fatalities in the capital and elsewhere in the country is being taken seriously.
The hospitality trade is being urged to be on full alert for these drugs and to be aware of useful harm reduction advice given the possibility of recreational use within the nighttime economy.
The advice is to understand symptoms and to ensure access to support and Naloxone, a medicine which can rapidly reverse a synthetic opioid overdose and so save lives. Turning Point offers a click and deliver Naloxone service using this link. https://www.turning-point.co.uk/services/drug-and-alcohol-support/naloxone-click-and-deliver
Turning Point is also asking members of the hospitality sector to take part in its training programme. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/turning-point-central-london-60749680723
Its suggested programme of action is as follows:
- Display the Alert dated 29.05.25 (available from the organisation www.turning-point.co.uk ) on any notice boards and publicise at staff briefings
- Display the Naloxone Poster on notice boards and staff briefing areas
- Online Naloxone training is available – register through the Central London Turning Point Training
- Share information with the wider drug using populations and nighttime economy
- Report any incidents or information, to [email protected]