The family of a man who died from a drug overdose has warned that delays in taking blood samples could be masking the true death toll from deadly synthetic opioids. They have called for urgent changes to pathology services after an inquest revealed that blood samples were taken weeks after death and analyzed months later, by which time synthetic drugs may have degraded beyond detection.
Inquest Reveals Delays in Blood Sample Analysis
Antony Irvin, 52, was found dead in his Ramsgate flat in September last year. At his inquest in Maidstone, assistant coroner Mark Haskell ruled that he died from a fatal dose of heroin and methadone. However, the family expressed concerns that synthetic opioids, such as nitazenes, may have contributed to his death but went undetected due to the delay in testing.
Blood samples were taken three weeks after his death and analyzed three months later. The assistant coroner acknowledged that such delays were "not unusual" due to "cuts and reductions in service levels." He noted that the sample was partially degraded, making it "unaccredited" but still admissible.
Family Calls for Greater Understanding
Antony's sister, Nicola Irvin, warned that "taking drugs has never been more dangerous" and urged authorities to take blood samples sooner to detect the presence of synthetic opioids. She said: "There are some synthetic opioids that are 400 times stronger than heroin that are being mixed into ketamine, cocaine, and heroin for cheapness."
Her brother, Tom Powell, added: "It could be that the heroin he was using was contaminated, and what was a routine dose became a fatal dose. If synthetic opioids go undetected in Thanet and east Kent, there will be many more deaths."
Expert Warns of Underestimated Harm
Dr. Caroline Copeland, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology & Toxicology at King's College London, said the harm caused by nitazenes is "significantly underestimated." She explained: "Because these drugs degrade in post-mortem blood, we may be missing up to a third of the deaths they are involved in, meaning public health responses are being designed and funded for only two-thirds of the real problem."
Growing Issue in Kent
The issue of nitazenes was brought to Kent County Council's scrutiny committee in July 2023, where it was reported that drug deaths in the county are rising. Public health officials say powerful synthetic opioids like fentanyl are being used to adulterate supplies. Government statistics show 16 deaths attributed to synthetic opioids in the south-east between June 2023 and June 2024, compared to a national total of 179.
Antony's father, David Irvin, described his son as "a very cheerful, kind person" who "lived in the moment completely." He warned that other users will "suffer the same fate because nothing has been done."
