Researchers in Australia have identified the presence of nitazene, a highly potent synthetic opioid, in syringes, raising alarm about a potential surge in fatal overdoses. This opioid is approximately 1000 times stronger than morphine and was discovered during a study by the University of South Australia in Adelaide.
Nitazene often appears alongside other drugs like fentanyl and heroin, usually without the user’s awareness, significantly increasing the risk of overdose. In the past four years, nitazene-related overdoses have resulted in 32 deaths in Australia, with a staggering 84% of patients unaware that they had consumed it.
Dr Emma Keller emphasised the heightened dangers associated with nitazene contamination, noting that the margin for safety diminishes dramatically. Standard dosages can turn lethal, particularly for those unfamiliar with the substances in their drugs or those lacking naloxone, which can quickly counteract opioid overdoses.
The research indicated that 5% of the 300 samples analysed contained nitazenes, primarily mixed with heroin. Professor Cobus Gerber cautioned about the severe risks posed by these opioids, which are challenging to detect when combined with other substances. He highlighted that nitazenes are among the most vigorous synthetic opioids available today, being even more potent than fentanyl, which is already 50 times more powerful than heroin.
Given their extreme potency and tendency to be blended with other drugs, nitazenes present significant monitoring challenges and pose a substantial risk to users.