Illegal cannabis vapes could contain deadly opioid, warns coroner
Illicit cannabis vapes may contain a deadly opioid that is 20 times more powerful than fentanyl, a coroner has warned.
The potent drug presents a 'significant' risk of overdose as the level ingested by inhalation could 'vary enormously', according to Sarah Bourke, the Inner North London assistant coroner.
She found vape users may be unaware that nitazene, a synthetic pain reliever, could be present and are unlikely to have access to the antidote naloxone.
The warning came following the death of Frederick Ireland-Rose, who overdosed on a cannabis vape laced with the drug in September last year.
The 30-year-old was using marijuana to withdraw from opiates and ordered liquid refills online, an inquest heard.
After he was found unresponsive at home with a vape in his hand, paramedics initially managed to resuscitate him, but he never regained consciousness and died in hospital a few days later.
More potent than fentanyl
A toxicologist told the inquest a specific form of nitazene, estimated to be around 20 times more potent than the synthetic opioid fentanyl, was found in Mr Ireland-Rose's blood.
Summarising their findings in a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, Ms Bourke said: 'Mr Ireland-Rose was known to purchase cannabinoid vaping fluids online from unknown sources outside the UK.'
N-pyrrolidino isotonitazene was found at a level of 0.37 ng/ml in a sample of his blood, she added.
'The toxicologist reported that this is 'a potent synthetic opioid' which is 'thought to be similar or greater in potency to isotonitazene, which is estimated to be approximately 20 times more potent than fentanyl',' she said.
'The toxicologist also reported that 'nitazenes are illicit synthetic opioids which have recently emerged in the heroin supply in the UK'.'
There was no evidence to suggest Mr Ireland-Rose used street heroin before his death, the coroner added.
Nitazenes detected in refillable vapes
She said: 'The toxicologist confirmed that nitazenes can be ingested from a vape and that they have been detected in refillable vapes and vapes bought illicitly.'
Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids have caused a decade-long drug overdose epidemic in the US, with annual deaths rising from 2,600 in 2011 to 70,601 in 2021.
The inquest heard Mr Frederick-Rose had been opiate-free for 10 days when he was found unconscious on Sept 15 last year.
After he was resuscitated, he was taken to hospital, where a CT scan revealed a severe brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen, which was 'not compatible with extended life'. He died on Sept 19.
Ms Bourke concluded that his death was drug-related and recorded the cause of death as a hypoxic brain injury and acute opioid toxicity.
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