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Jail's Synthetic Opioid Nightmare: One Prisoner's Collapse
5 Apr
Summary
- Synthetic opioids pose deadly risks to inmates in Scotland's toughest jail.
- One prisoner collapsed after using a vape with suspected synthetic opiates.
- Drones and prison visits fuel drug supply, making substances unpredictable.

A BBC documentary, "Inside Barlinnie," offers a stark look at the pervasive threat of synthetic opioids within Glasgow's Barlinnie prison. Inmates candidly discuss the life-threatening dangers of illicit substances, with one prisoner, identified as JP, collapsing after smoking a vape believed to contain synthetic opiates. He was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where medical staff spent an hour resuscitating him. This incident highlights a broader issue, with a 2023 study revealing nearly a third of released Scottish inmates tested positive for drugs, primarily synthetic opioids like buprenorphine and benzodiazepines.