What's actually in it
Sometimes the real danger isn't the cocaine. It's what's hidden in it.
Most of what cocaine is cut with does its damage slowly. A few things don't. The contaminants below can kill on a first line. They're invisible — no taste, no smell. You can't tell by looking and you can't tell by tasting. That's not a reason to panic, but it is a reason to know what's out there. Tap a contaminant to see what it does.
Find out what's actually in it.
WEDINOS (Welsh Emerging Drugs and Identification of Novel Substances) is a free, confidential drug-checking service. You post a small sample. No name, no personal details. They test it and publish what they find. It's based in Wales but accepts samples from anywhere in the UK, including Scotland.
Want to know what you're actually taking? Right now this is the most practical way to find out. Visit WEDINOS →
WEDINOS puts the results online, with no name attached. They won't contact you. Note your reference number and look it up on their website.
Free, and you can carry it.
Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose for a while. So if there's fentanyl or another opioid in the cocaine, it buys time for an ambulance. It's free to anyone over 16 in Renfrewshire. You get short training on how to spot an overdose and how to use it.
In Renfrewshire, HaRRT hands out naloxone and shows you how to use it. HaRRT is Change Grow Live's Harm Reduction Response Team. No appointment, no questions. You don't need to be in treatment or trying to stop. Renfrewshire ADP also runs free naloxone and overdose-awareness sessions.
Anywhere else in Scotland, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs (SFAD) will post a kit to your door. It comes in plain packaging. Age 16+, or 14+ for the nasal spray.
One thing to know: naloxone only works on opioids. It won't reverse cocaine itself, or sedatives like xylazine and medetomidine. Give it anyway. There are usually opioids in the mix too. And always call 999.
The supply is volatile and changes by area and over time. Slow or stopped breathing. Blue lips. No response. If that's you or someone near you, treat it as an emergency. Here's exactly what to do.