Testing For New Substances And Emerging Drug Trends In The UK

There were 5,565 deaths related to drug poisoning registered in England and Wales in 2024, the highest number since records began in 1993 and a 2.1% increase compared with 2023 (Office for National Statistics, 2024).

Concerns about rising drug-related harm have also been highlighted by the National Crime Agency, which has warned that the UK has “one of the highest rates of drug deaths in Europe.” Its Director-General, Graeme Biggar, said “there has never been a more dangerous time to take drugs.”

What drugs are now commonly being used?

The spike in deaths is partly caused by novel psychoactive substances (NPS), a catch-all term for a diverse range of synthetic drugs which are on the rise across the UK. These include opioids, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, stimulants and hallucinogens that are designed to mimic the effects of traditional illicit drugs and often significantly more potent.

Nitazenes are just one example of these. They are often mixed with party drugs or street drugs such as cocaine, synthetic cannabis or heroin, the latter of which has become both much scarcer and more expensive in the UK due to a crackdown in opium production in Afghanistan.

The high potency of nitazenes, reportedly up to 500 times stronger than heroin, together with their low manufacture cost and ability to evade detection using standard analytical methods, have contributed to a significant rise in the use of NPS. In some cases, consumers knowingly switch to these substances, while others may unknowingly obtain drugs that have been adulterated with, or replaced by, NPSs.

In October 2024, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities reported that nitazenes were responsible for 195 deaths in the UK in 2024, four times higher than in 2023. The number could potentially be significantly higher than is reported, due to the ever-evolving nature of these types of drugs and the lack of knowledge some drug users have regarding the combinations of substances they are taking.

The recent detection of synthetic cannabinoids in electronic cigarettes (vape pens) marketed as containing THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, also highlights a concerning trend in the adulteration or substitution of THC products with synthetic cannabinoids, resulting in consumers unknowingly ingesting novel substances.

Many toxicology labs cannot test for novel drugs

Because the types of NPS on the market change so frequently, there is generally a lag between identification, classification and establishing accredited methods to analyse them. This can mean that many labs are still testing for a particular compound when drug use trends have moved on to something else. Notably, the ONS has stated that the proportion of drug-related deaths about which it, “holds no information on the specific substances involved,” has been, “increasing over time.”

In family court proceedings where drug use is a concern and testing is required, these information gaps can present significant challenges. The lag between the emergence of new substances and their inclusion in standard testing panels means that some drugs being used by a parent or guardian may go undetected, and therefore unreported. Novel substances also present difficulties for local authorities and the courts, as it may be unclear which drugs should be the subject of testing. In many cases, the individual using the substance may themselves be unaware of exactly what they have taken.

How can FTS help with testing for novel or illicit drugs?

FTS has one of the most comprehensive accredited drug panels in the UK forensic toxicology market and can test for:

• 43+ compounds tested as standard
• 15 stimulants/hallucinogens
• 2000+ additional compounds including novel psychoactive substances, regularly updated
• Synthetic cannabinoids (spice); FTS is the only company in the UK testing for the synthetic cannabinoid ADB Butinaca, currently one of the most used in the UK
• Pregabalin and Gabapentin, highly addictive and often overlooked prescription drugs
• FTS is also one of the only providers testing for MDPHP, the active ingredient in the drug more commonly known as ‘Monkey Dust’, which has been responsible for several deaths in Stoke on Trent and around the Midlands

Supported by a programme of continual development to address evolving drug use patterns in the UK, it is the only laboratory in this sector able to reliably detect novel substances as they emerge and reappear on the illicit market.

How to instruct FTS to test for novel drugs:

Through the use of FTS’s drug panel, relevant and emerging compounds can be reliably detected, reducing the risk of public funds being spent on testing for outdated synthetic substances. More importantly, it helps ensure that novel drug misuse is not overlooked and that children are protected from unnecessary risk.

In circumstances where drug use is suspected to be a safeguarding issue, particularly NPS use, or where it is unknown what substances may be being used, FTS is able to screen for 2000+ compounds alongside the requested routine panel, which is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and Lab 51. Depending on the compounds detected, FTS may be able to provide additional information regarding use/exposure patterns through further analytical method development. By providing accurate, comprehensive forensic toxicology and expert interpretation, FTS helps ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of children and their families.

These services are Legal Aid Authority (LAA) compliant, and we offer a LAA Indemnity Guarantee should there be any shortfall in reimbursement.

FTS experts provide reports within 8 days from the sample arriving at our lab. We can also provide expert witnesses for court appearances.

For information on how FTS can support your testing for novel drugs, including nitazenes or monkey dust, contact us today.

References

Joshi, A. (2024) UK has one of the highest rates of drug deaths in Europe as National Crime Agency warns about rise of synthetic opioids. Sky News, 15 August. (Accessed: 11 March 2026).

Office for National Statistics (2024) Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales: 2023 registrations. (Accessed: 11 March 2026).

Office for National Statistics (2025) Deaths related to drug poisoning by selected substances, England and Wales. (Accessed: 11 March 2026).

Office for National Statistics (2025) Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales: 2024 registrations. (Accessed: 11 March 2026).

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2025) Afghanistan’s opium production falls to record lows amid drought and sustained ban enforcement. (Accessed: 11 March 2026).