Police Scotland are making inquiries into the three recent incidents.

Public Health Scotland said in August different types of nitazenes were now being detected in a variety of drugs across Scotland, and that “some are hundreds of times more potent than heroin.”

Between January and March 2025, nitazenes were detected in 38 deaths across Scotland.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said people smoking crack cocaine – also known as freebase – should not use the drug when alone. It also suggested users take a small amount first to test the substance’s strength.

The health board also advised people to avoid plastic or homemade pipes and instead use a glass stem if available, and to avoid taking with other drugs as this increases the overdose risk.

Users should be careful and watch out for any unusual taste, colour, or effects, as well as having the drug naloxone available, as it can help reverse the effect of opioids.