It’s been yet another busy a week in the world of substance policy and workplace safety. Here’s what caught our attention at ZoomTesting HQ.
The Big Story: Dangerous Pills Hit UK Festivals
Festival season is in full swing, and The Loop found “Dior” MDMA pills at Parklife containing three times the normal dose. This isn’t just a festival problem – it’s a workplace safety issue. These high-strength MDMA (Ecstasy) pills will be circulating for weeks after events end. If you employ young people or work in hospitality, expect this to impact your workforce.
We’re also seeing counterfeit blue Valium pills that killed three people in Plymouth. The scary part? Initial tests thought they were just Class C substances, but further analysis revealed deadly compounds. This shows why proper testing matters – what looks like one drug can be something completely different.
New Substances Keep Coming
The international community just banned four new nitazenes – those synthetic opiates that are popping up everywhere. But here’s the thing: by the time they’re officially banned, there are already new variants in the pipeline.
Ketamine warnings are also increasing across the UK, with health experts highlighting risks that many people don’t realise. A 19-year-old in Manchester said a news report about ketamine dangers actually saved his life – shows how little awareness there is about what this ketamine actually does to your body.
Cannabis Research Raising Eyebrows
Two studies this week should make employers think twice about cannabis policies. King’s College London found that cannabis withdrawal is leading to more psychiatric hospital transfers, while French researchers suggested cannabis use might double heart death risk.
Yes, attitudes towards cannabis are changing – Nottingham University found growing acceptance of psychedelics online – but the health risks aren’t going away.
Schools Struggling Too
Nearly one in five teachers now report cannabis use on school premises, along with spice, ketamine and cocaine. If drugs are this common in schools, they’re definitely in your workplace too.
Some Innovation in Harm Reduction
On a more positive note, Cranstoun launched “Drugbot” – an AI chatbot providing harm reduction information. While we can’t prevent all drug use, at least people can get accurate safety information.
International Bits Worth Noting
New Zealand approved psilocybin for depression treatment (though only one psychiatrist can prescribe it), and European police shut down a major dark web drug market.
Interestingly, the US might drop its guidance limiting alcohol to 1-2 drinks per day. Worth watching how this affects workplace alcohol policies.
Our Take
Three things stand out this week:
First, counterfeit substances are getting deadlier. Basic identification isn’t enough anymore – you need proper urine drug testing or saliva drug testing to know what you’re dealing with.
Second, the gap between public perception and actual risk keeps growing. Cannabis might be socially acceptable, but the health evidence is getting more concerning, not less.
Third, festival season means the next few months will see increased recreational drug use across all demographics. Plan accordingly.
What’s Coming
Summer festivals, exam stress, and holiday season usually mean increased substance use. We’re tracking several new synthetic compounds that haven’t hit mainstream testing yet.
For employers: now’s a good time to review your policies and make sure your testing covers current threats, not just traditional drugs.
Photo by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Testing
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
Need help updating your workplace drug testing strategy? Drop us a line – we’ve been watching these trends for years and can help you stay ahead of them. Contact us now to find out more.
