SUPER-STRENGTH opioid drugs which are hundreds of times more potent than heroin are sweeping the town - and health bosses have urged people to be wary of the significant risk to life that they pose.

Nitazenes - which are synthetic, laboratory-made drugs - have claimed multiple lives locally, inquests have found.

According to a study into their prevalence, 286 linked inquests across the country were analysed and almost every one concluded that the death was accidental.

As a response to nitazenes, Barnsley-based police officers are now being trained in the use of naloxone, an opioid antidote, in response to the ten local lives lost.

Adam Thompson, from the National Crime Agency (NCA), said: “In most cases, organised criminals’ sole motivation for using nitazenes is greed.

“They buy potent nitazenes cheaply and mix them with other drugs, to strengthen the product being sold and make significant profits.

“Since nitazene production was banned in China in June, we believes UK-based organised crime groups have been trying to source the chemicals to make their own and source other types of synthetic opioids, too.

“Urgent public health action is required to reduce nitazene-related harms.”

In January 2025, a coroner raised concerns that naloxone was only available to take home from some substance misuse services.

They noted many people who used drugs were not engaging with those services and the antidote was not allowed to be given out by supported accommodation providers or the NHS, including mental health trusts.

In December, the Department of Health and Social Care

began a ten-week consultation on proposed legislative changes to expand naloxone access in the UK, which has seen South Yorkshire Police involved.

A spokesperson from the force said: “Naloxone training has been received and officers will be carrying the life-saving medicine in the course of their duties.

“Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the impact of opioids such as heroin and morphine as well as synthetic opioids including methadone, fentanyl and nitazenes.

“Within 15 minutes of being administered, a person’s breathing can be restored to normal if it had slowed or stopped.

“Officers in Barnsley will all be carrying the naloxone nasal spray in the course of their duties, giving them the ability to prevent a tragic drug-related death.”

Detective Superintendent Nikki Shimwell told the Chronicle: “Officers across our force have been carrying naloxone since last July and have deployed it with success a number of times.

“Naloxone can really be the difference between life and death and can rapidly reverse the effects of harmful drugs.

“Reducing the risk of harm is one of one our main priorities and having naloxone available to administer in these situations is huge for us as a force.

“Our officers are encouraged to carry naloxone when on duty and those who do complete extensive training so they are fully prepared for when they have to administer it.

“We have a responsibility to monitor what dangerous substances are available locally and what could put our residents in harm.

“Naloxone is one part of the wider work we continue daily to combat drug supply across the county.”

A statement from Barnsley Council’s public health team said its town centre wardens can also administer naloxone.

“As required by national government, every combatting drugs partnership must have a synthetic opioid response plan in place to monitor and mitigate the risks associated with emerging substances such as nitazenes.

“In South Yorkshire, a joint response plan has been developed collaboratively by South Yorkshire Police and the four local authorities to ensure a coordinated and proactive approach.

”Police officers across the county are now trained and equipped to carry and administer naloxone.

“A range of local agencies, including town centre wardens and providers of temporary and supported accommodation, also carry naloxone to help ensure a rapid response in the event of an overdose.

“People who use drugs, as well as their family members, are also offered naloxone and shown how to administer it.

“To date, there have been very few incidents or deaths linked to nitazenes, but partners continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary precautions.”