Drug news & alerts
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Captagon production scatters across 8+ countries after Assad fall; 177M+ tablets seized in the Arab region in 12 months
UNODC counts a minimum of 177 million captagon tablets intercepted across the Arab region between December 2024 and December 2025. The EU Drugs Agency's 2026 strategic assessment documents production re-forming in Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, Türkiye, Egypt and Kuwait — with European manufacturers entering the supply chain. The post-Assad disruption changed the map, not the volume.
Meth 'shabu' now among the three most-used drugs in Saudi Arabia, UNODC assesses
UNODC's World Drug Report 2026 assesses methamphetamine — 'shabu' — as one of the three most-used drugs in Saudi Arabia, alongside cannabis and captagon, as displaced users shifted after captagon prices doubled. Iran intercepted 3,663 kg of meth bound for Europe and the Persian Gulf in Q1 2026 alone.
UAE launches Hisn 24/7 anti-drug helpline (80044) with legal exemption for anyone seeking treatment
The UAE's National Drug Enforcement Agency has consolidated its anti-drug phone support under the Hisn service: dial 80044 for psychiatrists, addiction specialists and behavioural counsellors, 24/7, with complete confidentiality — and UAE law guarantees exemption from criminal liability for anyone who voluntarily steps forward or is referred by relatives.
Hayden Panettiere died from fentanyl and prescription-drug mix, coroner rules
A South Carolina coroner has ruled that actor Hayden Panettiere died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, its manufacturing byproduct 4-ANPP, Xanax (alprazolam), a muscle relaxer and an antipsychotic. The 36-year-old 'Heroes' and 'Nashville' star was found unresponsive in a Greenville apartment on August 16. Her death was ruled an accident — and police say their investigation is not over.
Raheem Sterling pleads guilty to driving on nitrous oxide before £270k Lamborghini crash
The former England star admitted dangerous driving, possessing six 670g nitrous canisters and refusing a blood test after witnesses saw him inhaling from balloons at the wheel on the M3. Sentencing is set for November 25 - and it has put nitrous oxide, balloons and driving firmly in the spotlight.
Nitazenes now detected in 12 European monitoring systems
EMCDDA early-warning reports show the nitazene family (etonitazene, metonitazene, isotodesnitazene) spreading from the Baltics across Western Europe, mostly hidden in counterfeit oxycodone and 'heroin'.
Xylazine ('Tranq') confirmed in drug supply outside North America
First confirmed lab detections of xylazine-adulterated fentanyl in the UK and EU supply. Wound-care and naloxone-limit guidance is being updated by harm-reduction services.
High-dose ecstasy pills (250–330 mg) circulating again this festival season
Pill-testing services across Europe are flagging pressed pills at 2–3x a typical adult dose. PMA/PMMA copycat pills — slow to kick in, deadly — remain in circulation.
Counterfeit 'Xanax bars' increasingly contain flubromazolam or fentanyl
Forensic testing in the US and UK shows counterfeit alprazolam bars frequently contain the ultra-potent RC benzo flubromazolam — active at 0.25 mg — and intermittent fentanyl.