Written question WQ92428
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 12 days
Question
What percentage of overdose cases dealt with by the Welsh NHS have been attributed to synthetic opioids such as nitazenes?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Mental Health and Early Years
The Welsh Government does not hold information about overdose cases treated by the Welsh NHS that are attributable to synthetic opioids. However, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) data on drug-related deaths each year contains information about the breakdown of drug-related deaths.
According to ONS data for 2022, opioids represented the most common substance group recorded in drug misuse deaths in Wales, with 125 deaths out of 205. Within this, there was one death recorded involving fentanyl (a synthetic opiate).