Here’s a summary of some of the more interesting drug testing news stories and articles from around the UK this week. As always, if drugs are a concern for you, your family or your organisation, Zoom Testing is here to help. Contact us with all of your drug testing requirements.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines belong to a group of drugs known as depressants. Unfortunately, benzodiazepines have an extremely high rate of abuse. In the UK, the most common benzodiazepine is Valium. Slang names for the drug include benzos, temazies, jellies, eggs, moggies and vallies. A benzodiazepines drug test will detect BZD in urine within hours of using the drug and possibly up to 2 – 14 days after use.
- What is Temazepam?
For years, the name Temazepam has been floating around on the prescription drug market. A form of benzodiazepine, this drug works to manage chemical reactions in the brain that can help those with sleep problems such as insomnia to get a proper night’s sleep. Benzodiazepines belong to a group of drugs known as depressants | Zoom Testing, UK
Cannabis
Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in the UK. At Zoom Testing we offer a very wide range of drug testing kits for cannabis. This week, there were a number of cannabis related news stories that caught the eye:
- Surrey: Mustafa Oustha jailed for running 12 cannabis factories
Mustafa Oustha, 39, of Harewood Drive, Northolt, west London, was charged after using five different aliases to rent drug-producing units | BBC, UK` - Royal Navy carries out heaviest drugs bust in a decade with £6.5m hash haul
Around £6.5m worth of drugs have been captured by the Royal Navy as HMS Montrose struck a third blow to traffickers in two months | ITV, UK - Dog falls ill after eating ‘cannabis’ on walk
A vet has warned dog owners to be vigilant as she believes her pet became unwell after eating cannabis during a walk | BBC, UK
Cocaine
Powder cocaine continues to be the second most commonly used drug of abuse in the UK, after Cannabis. Zoom Testing supply a wide range of drug testing kits for cocaine. In the news this week:
- Police to test for signs of cocaine use at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol
Avon and Somerset Police will swab surfaces with cocaine surface wipes during Bristol City’s home fixture against Birmingham City | BBC, UK - Essex drug dealers jailed for over £5.9m cocaine seizures
Two men have been jailed for 30 years after supplying multi-kilo consignments of cocaine to crime groups across London and Essex | NCA, UK - How the Albanian Mafia Controls Cocaine Supply in London
In our new All 4 show “Criminal Planet”, we investigate the deadly alliance between Albania and Colombia’s biggest coke clan | VICE, UK
Heroin
Heroin is a pain-killing drug, which is derived from the dried milk of the opium poppy. Heroin belongs to a group of drugs known as opiates, other opiates include morphine and methadone. Heroin is also known as smack, H, junk, brown, skag and gear. Zoom Testing is a leading supplier of drug testing kits for Heroin.
- Lorry passenger jailed for importing heroin through Dover
A smuggler who was stopped in Dover with 5kg of heroin with a street value of at least £238,000 has been jailed, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said | BBC, UK
MDMA
The common name for the drug MDMA is Ecstasy which is a controlled substance. Ecstasy Drug Test Kits are available from Zoom Testing. We can also supply party drugs test kits.
- The Dangers of PMA and PMMA
For a number of years PMA, and the similar drug PMMA, have become known by the slang name, “Dr Death Drug” due to the high level of fatalities associated with it. Recently there have been several cases reported of people, who had taken what they believed to be ecstasy, finding out, in actuality, that it had been “cut” with PMA or PMMA. The truth is, there are times when the MDMA, which is found in ecstasy tablets, has been entirely replaced by PMA or PMMA. | Zoom Testing, UK
Other Drug News in the UK
Also in the news this week:
- ‘Frustrated aspiration’ leading young people into drug trafficking
Some young people see drug trafficking “as the only way they potentially can get the shiny things that they want”, the Isle of Man’s chief constable said | BBC, UK - Cleveland Police arrests 26 in ‘county lines’ drugs raids
Twenty-six people have been arrested as part of a 14-month police operation to disrupt “county lines” drugs gangs | BBC, UK
