Adelaide, South Australia – South Australian health officials have issued a public warning regarding the rise of a potent synthetic opioid linked to seven fatal overdoses in the state over the past two-and-a-half years. The drug, known as nitazene, surpasses morphine in strength and poses a significant risk of death even in small doses when mixed with other illicit substances.
Authorities have recorded at least 10 emergency room visits related to nitazene from July 2023 to January 2024, with the number likely underreported due to the absence of specific testing for the drug in opioid overdose cases. Dr. Victoria Cock, statewide clinical director of Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia, emphasized the importance of acquiring naloxone products for individuals using opioids as a precaution against potential overdose.
Naloxone, available as an intra-nasal spray called Nyxoid, can be obtained at no cost from over 400 pharmacies across the state. Dr. Cock stressed the necessity of having this life-saving medication on hand and advised individuals to seek immediate medical help if they observe opioid overdose symptoms, which include constricted pupils, shallow breathing, unconsciousness, and cyanosis.
Law enforcement officials are also deeply concerned about the prevalence of nitazene in the region, as the drug continues to be found in various illicit substances like methamphetamine and Oxycodone. Police have linked seven deaths and 13 non-fatal overdoses to nitazenes since January 2022. Following recent arrests at a residence in Brompton, where significant quantities of nitazenes and other drugs were seized, Detective Superintendent Shane Addison highlighted the extreme danger posed by these toxic substances, some of which are significantly more potent than fentanyl and morphine.
Superintendent Addison noted that all nitazenes in Australia are believed to be imported, underlining the critical need for heightened vigilance in combating the importation and distribution of these lethal drugs. Despite the arrest of two individuals on drug trafficking charges, the ongoing presence of nitazene-laced products in the market remains a pressing concern for public health and safety.