For the first time in nearly a decade, the DEA saw a decrease in drug overdose deaths year over year. And while the hope is that this downward trend will continue, a new threat is emerging on the horizon - nitazenes.
A new type of synthetic opioids that are making their way into communities across the country and fueling overdoses. These aren’t just another variation of fentanyl; they are a classification of opioids all their own. Strong, deadlier, and harder to detect. In the modern war against drugs, education is the first line of defense
Nitazenes are synthetic opioids that were originally developed in the 1950s by a pharmaceutical company as potential pain relievers. After synthesis, their extreme potency was revealed which prevented them from ever being approved for medical use. They were just too powerful.
Fast forward to today, and illicit drug producers have resurrected them—creating deadly, unregulated opioids that are being mixed into the supply of street drugs. These drugs act on the brain’s opioid receptors, just like heroin or fentanyl, but with an even stronger effect. And like fentanyl, they’re being used in counterfeit pills and cut into other drugs without the users knowledge. At this point, every drug that has a powder base could be tainted with nitazenes.
Their potency. If you thought fentanyl was dangerous, nitazenes (depending on the type) can be 10-40 times stronger. Consider that fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin, and you’re looking at a single grain of powder that is potentially 2,000 times stronger than heroin. This means that even the tiniest amount can trigger a fatal overdose.
With an overdose being a probable reality for every user, the other major concern about nitazenes is that Narcan isn’t very effective. Because of its potency, multiple doses of Naloxone may not be enough to stop respiratory failure and death.
Nitazenes are also incredibly difficult to detect. Your standard toxicology tests often fail to identify them, leading to misclassified overdoses and leaving families and medical professionals in the dark about what actually happened.
Very similar to fentanyl, nitazenes are primarily manufactured overseas. The majority of production is being done in China and other parts of Asia, before being trafficked into the United States.
Normally shipped as raw powders, they are difficult to detect by normal detection methods and because of their potency, you don’t necessarily need to ship large amounts. Once in the country, they are mixed with cutting agents and other drugs like xylazine and then pressed into pills for retail.
These pills are designed to look like legitimate prescription opioids such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, making it nearly impossible for users to know what they’re taking. What looks like a prescription painkiller could actually be a lethal dose of nitazene.
Here’s the reality: being a recreational drug user is more dangerous today than ever. Every hit, every pill, every bag could contain a fatal dose of nitazene. The only way to truly stay safe is to get out of the cycle of substance use.
Addiction treatment is available to help people break free from the grip of drug abuse. Whether it’s detox, residential care, or long-term recovery support, the tools and support needed to build a life without relying on dangerous substances is out there. Every day is a gamble when nitazenes are in the mix.
The opioid crisis is evolving, and nitazenes are just the latest deadly threat. After nitazenes, there will be something else. You don’t have to continue the cycle. Help is available. Sunflower Recovery Center is here to guide you to safety and long-term healing. You deserve a life beyond addiction. Let’s start today.