Test Your Benzos

Taking benzos comes with risks. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. If you have concerns about your benzo consumption, please speak to a medical professional.

Counterfeit Benzos in the UK

This year, synthetic opioids (nitazenes) have been found in counterfeit diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax) pills across the UK. We urge people who use benzos and other drugs in the UK to get your supply tested. You can read the full statement from our partners at Change Grow Live, alongside other drug support charities here.

Nitazenes detected by WEDINOS, 2024

Between 1st January–4th December 2024, 144 samples tested contained a nitazene. Of these, 77 (53.5%) were intended as a benzo (shown in dark blue).

Last updated: 15 December 2024. Locations are placed randomly within the postcode district of each result (e.g. EC1). Data is displayed for informational purposes only, and is owned by WEDINOS. Data does not include results after 4 December 2024 due to WEDINOS experiencing technical issues, and does not claim to be representative of the UK's illicit supply.

What are nitazenes?

Nitazenes are a class of strong synthetic opioids. The strength of nitazenes ranges from 1–100x the potency of fentanyl. Mixing opioids like nitazenes with benzos and other drugs can lead to an overdose. Some warning signs to look out for include:

Difficulty breathing: slow/shallow breaths
Bluish/greyish lips and complexion
Passing out
Vomiting

Nitazenes can look like anything, so the only way to know if they are in your supply is to get it tested!

nitazene overdose guide

Free drug testing service

One of the recommendations outlined in the statement above is to utilise drug checking/testing services. WEDINOS is a national harm reduction project supported by Public Health Wales. They provide a free, anonymous sample testing service and collect the data to understand the drug supply in Wales and across the UK.

If you can spare a bit, sending your sample to WEDINOS can give you more information about what you actually have in your pill, powder, or other form of drug. You can then make an informed decision about how much, if at all, you will take.

Sample testing can take 1+ weeks, so take it easy until your anonymous results are posted online here.

Instructions on how to submit a sample can be found on their website.

Test your Benzos

Bristol

The Loop operates a drop-in drug checking service at the Bristol Drugs Project on the last Saturday of each month. Find out when the next drug checking session is, and how to get there, on The Loop's website.

International

TripApp has a directory of drug checking services worldwide. Depending on your location, you can search for your local drug checking services, sexual health services, drug consumption rooms and more. Download TripApp here.

Nitazene testing strips

London

Release run a harm reduction hub in Bethnal Green between 2–5 pm, Monday to Thursday and 4–7 pm Saturdays (plus select holidays announced via their Instagram). You can turn up, chill out and access lots of harm reduction resources including nitazene, xylazine, medetomidine and fentanyl test strips, and naloxone.

Click to find out more about Release's harm reduction hub.

Worldwide

Exchange Supplies — a harm reduction supplies distributor — sells nitazene, medetomidine, xylazine, and fentanyl test strips, with worldwide shipping. strips, with worldwide shipping. A single test strip costs £2.99 incl. VAT. Though test strips are not as accurate as drug checking services (see above), they are better than not testing your pills/powder at all.

nitazene test strips

An infographic on dark blue background with yellow and light blue text listing harm reduction tips from Crew. The infographic reads: Staying safe. In an emergency, call 999! Our friends at Crew recommend: Get your benzos tested! You can head to our page brp.org.uk/testing to find out how.

Start low, take it slow: Take a quarter first and wait for at least 45 min (ideally 2 hours) to feel the effects.

Avoid mixing with other downers: Drugs like alcohol, opioids, and other GABA drugs can increase the risk of overdose.

Carry naloxone, don‘t use alone: Your pill could contain an opioid and a benzo. Having naloxone on hand could save the life of you or your friend.

Share this information with your mates so they can keep safe too!

An infographic on dark blue background with yellow and light blue text with light blue stick man graphics, showing signs of an overdose. The infographic reads: Overdose watch. Signs of an overdose: unconsciousness (person laying on the floor), severe nausea and vomiting (person covering their stomach and mouth), fitting/seizure (person shaking), snoring (person laying down making loud noises), blue-ish knees, hands, or lips, and difficulty breathing (person out of breath). If you see these signs, call 999!

An infographic on dark blue background with yellow and light blue text detailing what to do if you spot an overdose. The infographic reads: Spot the signs. After calling 999: If unconscious or not responding, place in recovery position (one person laying on their side with knees bent, another person gently talking to the unconscious person kneeling beside them). If they stop breathing, perform CPR — chest compressions and rescue breathing (a person laying on their back, the other person kneeling to their side with both hands clasped on their chest). If they have taken opioids (e.g. heroin, methadone) or you're unsure what they have taken, give naloxone.

An infographic on dark blue background with yellow and light blue listing support lines. The infographic reads: Support lines. Drugs and Alcohol: Release helpline: (message icon) release.org.uk/helpline, (phone) 020 7324 2989. DAN 24/7 Wales helpline: (web) dan247.org.uk, (phone) 0808 808 2234 (24/7). WithYou chat service: (message) wearewithyou.org.uk. Mental health: Samartians hotline: (web) samaritans.org, (phone) 116 123 (24/7). Shout textline: (web) giveusashout.org, (message) 85258 (24/7). Sane helpline: (web) sane.org.uk, (phone) 0300 304 7000 (16:00 to 22:00).

Share your story!

We're looking for Scottish young people to share their experiences with benzos – click here to get involved.

Disclaimer: The Benzo Research Project is not affiliated in any way with services outlined on this page, unless otherwise specified. Please read the instructions and information on their websites before using their services. Following harm reduction advice can reduce, but does not always completely prevent, drug-related harms.