By Smartencyclopedia & Agencies

Vienna, Austria — The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has issued a stark warning about the proliferation of nitazenes, a group of synthetic opioids significantly more potent than fentanyl, across Europe and North America. In its latest World Drug Report, the UN agency highlighted the growing presence of these dangerous substances in countries including the UK, the US, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Belgium, and Canada.

Nitazenes, which were originally developed as painkillers in the 1950s but never approved for medical use due to their high potency and addictive potential, have been linked to a rising number of fatal overdoses. Health agencies worldwide are sounding the alarm as these drugs, which can be injected, inhaled, or swallowed, pose extreme overdose risks, especially when mixed with other substances.

The report follows the dramatic decrease in opium production in Afghanistan after a ban on poppy cultivation led to a 95% drop in 2022. The UNODC suggests that the reduction in opium supply may drive heroin users to switch to more dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, potentially leading to an increase in overdose deaths.

A BBC investigation earlier this year uncovered that nitazenes are being smuggled into the UK concealed in dog food and catering supplies, and are being sold on social media platforms. Despite being classified as Class A drugs in the UK, with severe penalties for manufacturing or supplying them, experts criticize the government for its sluggish response in combating their spread.

In the US, fentanyl, another synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin, was responsible for approximately 100,000 deaths in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the UNODC reports that overdose deaths from illicitly manufactured fentanyls remain at unprecedented levels, there are indications that the numbers might be stabilizing.

Globally, drug use has surged by 20% over the past decade, with an estimated 292 million users in 2022. Cannabis continues to be the most widely used drug, with 228 million users, followed by opioids (60 million), amphetamines (30 million), cocaine (23 million), and ecstasy (20 million).

What are Nitazenes?

• Origin: Developed in the 1950s as painkillers.
• Usage: Injected, inhaled, or swallowed.
• Risks: Highly potent and addictive, with significant overdose and death risks, especially when mixed with other drugs or alcohol.
• Legal Status: Classified under the UK’s Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, which covers new psychoactive substances.

In light of the growing crisis, the UNODC’s latest report underscores the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to monitor, regulate, and curb the spread of nitazenes and other synthetic opioids. As the world grapples with this escalating drug epidemic, public health authorities and law enforcement agencies face significant challenges in protecting communities and reducing overdose deaths.