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<p>Tackling Class A drugs, including synthetic opioids, is a priority for the Government
due to the harm caused to users, society and the economy.</p><p>We assess that the
scale of trafficking of synthetic opioids into the UK remains low, including relative
to countries like the USA and Canada where they have caused devastation. Sadly, nitazenes
have been linked to more than 100 deaths in the UK during the last year, and we are
taking action.</p><p>The cross-Government Synthetic Opioids Taskforce is working with
partners, such as the NCA, the Department for Health and Social Care and the National
Police Chiefs Council to deliver an evidence-based response to the risk posed by synthetic
opioids, and to implement effective action to stem the demand and supply of these
dangerous substances.</p><p>We regularly meet bilaterally with our partners in the
USA and Canada to understand the tragic situation in North America and to learn from
their responses. We are key members of the US-led Global Coalition to Address Synthetic
Drug Threats, and I recently attended the UN’s Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna
to meet with and learn from partners across the world.</p>
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