As Drug Testing Kits UK, like to advise our many thousands of clients across the length and breath of the UK and Southern Ireland: "just as with fashion and music, illicit drugs go through peaks and troughs of popularity. There are popular staples, such as cannabis, and more disruptive and transient substances, such as mephedrone. And just as with fashion, the drugs that most people are able to buy are determined by the choices of designers, manufacturers and logistical operations, rather than consumers.
Predicting how the UK drug market may be in 2024, not only relies on recent trends in drug use, but also on international developments. Geopolitical events in SE Asia or South America, are just as important as organised crime activity in cities like London or Liverpool [1]
Four Types of Drugs That Warrant Increasing Concern in 2024
It is important to note here, that: CE-approved, highly accurate, rapid result, non-invasive, workplace saliva or urine drug testing kits supplied by Drug Testing Kits UK, screen the following four illegal drugs, which are of concern this year. To that end, you should make sure that your company/organisation has a supply of our economically priced drug testing kit cases, which come in a choice of 25, 50, or 100 tests (all of which have a long shelf-life, and can be stored at normal room temperature). These can easily be administered by a responsible, dedicated member of staff, who has had some previous practice testing the specimens of several individuals. The instructions which come with all Drug Testing Kits UK's products, are super-simple to follow, and the results come up within seconds or minutes. Also, and very importantly, the high tech drug testing kit, features an automatic security seal for the saliva or urine sample.
Number 1: Employers Should Be Concerned About Opioids
Did You Know?
"The estimated number of people who use heroin has increased over the past decade, with an estimated 341,032 current users in England alone" [1]
Heroin, which is sold here in the UK and Southern Ireland, is primarily sourced from opium grown in Afghanistan. However, due to recent geopolitical events in the latter, other growing regions have revved up production. Yet despite this, 2024 will see a smaller street supply; so to that end, in order to continue gaining from this hugely profitable illegal drug market: adaptable suppliers are responding by: "producing highly potent synthetic opioids to fill the gap. These include the group of synthetic opiates known as nitazenes" [1].
Number 2: Employers Should Be Concerned About Cocaine
"Cocaine has never been purer, more affordable, and more available, to those who want it in the UK. While levels of use have been relatively stable over the past 20 years, deaths and hospitalisations have increased due the nature of the product on the market and increases in the frequency and length of use" [1]
Contrary to other Class A drugs (e.g., heroin), there are not many successful treatments for cocaine addicts. To that end, employees who abuse cocaine, tend to be more socially integrated. - This means that they are less inclined to seek professional help and treatment. Moreover, such staff
"may not identify themselves as having a drug problem, despite the effect it may be having on their work and lives. Furthermore, when disposable income continues to be squeezed as it is in the current cost of living crisis, powder cocaine (as opposed to crack cocaine) is a drug that will continue to provide good value for money" [1]. So to that end, employees who like to take cocaine, are not likely to stop using it, due to the price.
Number 3: Employers Should Be Concerned About Ketamine
Taken recreationally, ketamine (an anaesthetic), induces feelings of euphoria and detachment. - This is another drug that has zoomed up in popularity because it's fast-acting, cheap, and easy to obtain.
"Around 3.8% of young people report having used the drug. - This has been steadily rising. Police report that the weight of ketamine seizures increased sharply in 2022. Drug seizures are often used as a proxy for estimating levels of supply. A range of problems can develop for those using ketamine in higher doses or over a longer period, ranging from mental health problems to incontinence. As with most illicit drugs, combining ketamine with alcohol increases health risks. Sadly, it is the norm for people to use more than one drug at a time – including alcohol" [1]. And this is why Drug Testing Kits UK, recommends conducting regular screening with its top-selling CE-approved Saliva-Based, 7 Panel Drug & Alcohol Testing Kit This screens for 7 different common drugs, plus alcohol, all in one go.
Number 4: Employers Should Be Concerned About Benzodiazapines
Benzodiazepines (AKA prescription names, Xanax or Valium), have been shown to be both dangerous and popular, in equal measure. And although it can be said that in recent years, medical prescriptions for this drug have have decreased, illegal supply and demand, have not. Moreover, whilst GPs have been encouraged to cut down prescriptions for benzodiazepines, the gap in demand, has been taken up by the black market [1].
Of note: "unlike legitimate supply, the illicit market has no quality control or reliable information on strength. Indeed, the rapid rise in deaths from these drugs in Scotland, shows regional differences both in the use of drugs and the risks they pose. Reversing this trend in use and fatalities will prove to be difficult in 2024 as there are few signs of a change in demand for, or supply of these drugs" [1].
Help is at Hand With Drug Testing Kits UK's FREE Advice Service
Our winning Professional CX Advice Service, can be contacted either by phone or on the messaging system. We are here to help give you the advice and guidance that your company, organisation, institution, or educational or health facility needs, in order to have the best possible defence against abusive drug use by your employees. - At highly competitive prices!
Reference
[1]. Hamilton, I. & Sumnall, H. (2024). "Four street drugs that could pose the biggest threat to UK public health in 2024 ."
https://theconversation.com/four-street-drugs-that-could-pose-the-biggest-threat-to-uk-public
