Taking drugs is more dangerous than ever in Britain, says NCA

Director general warns that people taking nitazenes, often without knowing it, can absolutely die the very first time'

There has never been a more dangerous time to be taking drugs" in Britain, according to the National Crime Agency, which said a rise in deaths from synthetic opioids and a surge in global cocaine production was driving an increased threat to life.

Since June last year there have been 284 deaths confirmed from the synthetic opioids nitazenes after a surge in use began last summer.