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Medetomidine Found in Rhino Tranq Drug Samples in Scotland

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 4:30 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Scotland Battles Rhino Tranq

Rhino tranq, a new street drug, is sweeping Scotland’s streets.
Public Health Scotland reported medetomidine in one-fifth of heroin samples tested between March and June.
Medetomidine was detected for the first time in toxicology tests on addicts in Scottish A&E wards.
Common symptoms of Rhino tranq use include uncontrollable nausea, vomiting, shaking, fast heartbeat, and dangerously high blood pressure.

Summary

Pope Flags Rape Drug

Greater Manchester’s Early Drug Warning System warned mixing ketamine with rhino tranq can cause extreme sedation and may be fatal.
Addiction worker Steve Pope said rhino tranq is being used as a date-rape drug that causes blackouts and memory loss.
Ward criticized safe-injecting sites, arguing they cannot protect users from unregulated lethal synthetic drugs and urged more prevention and rehabilitation.

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Scotland Battles Rhino Tranq

Rhino tranq, a new street drug, is sweeping Scotland’s streets.
Public Health Scotland reported medetomidine in one-fifth of heroin samples tested between March and June.
Medetomidine was detected for the first time in toxicology tests on addicts in Scottish A&E wards.
Common symptoms of Rhino tranq use include uncontrollable nausea, vomiting, shaking, fast heartbeat, and dangerously high blood pressure.

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