Tackling synthetic opioid misuse: an impending crisis

SUMMARY There is growing concern regarding the increasing prevalence of synthetic opioids and their association with mortality and a range of health and social harms. Recognition, assessment and management of synthetic opioid use is a key challenge for practitioners working in hospitals, prisons and community services. This article gives an overview of the range and characteristics of synthetic opioids, key risks, the prevalence of synthetic opioid-related deaths in England, and prevention and management approaches. It highlights five areas critical to addressing the synthetic opioid crisis: improved access to medication for synthetic opioid addiction; increased naloxone availability and referral to addictions services following opioid overdose; strengthening prevention efforts targeting risk factors such as illicit drug markets and emerging trends in drug use; optimising pain management to reduce the use of prescription opioids and minimise the risk of associated synthetic opioid addiction; raising awareness among healthcare providers, patients and the general public about the dangers of synthetic opioids, including their potency, addictive nature and potential for overdose.