Worse then fentanyl? New synthetic opioid nitazenes linked to grim surge in UK deaths

In the United Kingdom, new synthetic opioids are taking a deadly toll. What are nitazenes and why are they so dangerous?

The National Crime Agency in the United Kingdom has reported that a new substance on the black market has been linked to 176 deaths in the UK. Forty-seven of these occurred in Scotland, which ranks first in Europe for drug-related deaths. The substance in question is nitazenes, which can be added to tablets like ecstasy.

Nitazenes are synthetic opioids that were developed in the late 1950s. Their chemical structure is different from other opioid drugs like fentanyl and morphine. The potency of some nitazenes can be up to 500 times greater than heroin. Initially, they were intended to be used as another drug for combating severe pain. However, it turned out that their use is associated with a significant risk of side effects, including a real threat to life due to respiratory problems. Nitazenes are not used in medicine today.

Director General of the Crime Agency, Graeme Biggar, emphasized that the reported deaths due to nitazenes are only those that have been identified during autopsies. The actual number of fatalities from taking this opioid is probably higher. Biggar warned that the problem would deepen. He stated, "We need to disrupt it as much as we can but this is hard because the drugs are cheap and small and to organised criminals, this looks like a really good way of evolving your business."

For BBC.com, the problem was commented on by a volunteer from the charity Aid and Abet, which helps addicts. The woman herself was addicted to opioids and survived nine overdoses. She explained why potent synthetic drugs are hazardous for people addicted to opioids. She said, "Addiction's so powerful that you'll do anything to get the drugs, whether nitazene is in it or not. It's like Russian roulette. You just need to get the drugs and that's it."