Latest news with #syntheticOpioids
Medscape
09-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Youth Overdose Deaths From Synthetic Opioids Surge
While youth overdose deaths from any substance rose by 40% between 2018 and 2022, deaths involving only synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, increased by 168% and surpassed deaths from polydrug combinations, a new study showed. METHODOLOGY: The National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, and Multiple Cause of Death datasets were used to examine trends in overdose deaths among US youth aged 15-24 years from 2018 to 2022 across ages, sexes, races and ethnicities, and regions. Researchers identified drug poisoning deaths through the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision . . Fatal overdoses involving synthetic opioids alone or in combination with benzodiazepines, cocaine, heroin, prescription opioids, and other stimulants were analyzed using multiple/contributing cause of death fields. Investigators calculated the prevalence and rates of overdose per 100,000 youth using annual US Census Bureau population estimates by race and ethnicity. TAKEAWAY: Youth overdose deaths from any substance increased from 4652 to 6723 (10.9 to 15.2 per 100,000 people) between 2018 and 2022. Fatal overdoses involving only synthetic opioids increased from 1.6 to 4.3 deaths per 100,000 youth over the same period, whereas deaths involving synthetic opioids and heroin decreased by 85%. In 2022, males had 2.5 times the rate of fatal overdoses involving synthetic opioids alone compared to females (95% CI, 2.3-2.8), with both sexes showing similar increases over the study period. By 2022, fatal overdoses involving only synthetic opioids among American Indian/Alaska Native non-Hispanic youth increased to 2.3 times the rate compared to White non-Hispanic youth (95% CI, 1.6-3.1). The highest annual changes in rate of overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids and other stimulants (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.7), synthetic opioids only (IRR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4), and synthetic opioids and cocaine (IRR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.2-1.3). IN PRACTICE: 'Before we looked at the data, we thought we would find that the majority of fatal youth overdoses involved fentanyl combined with other substances, such as prescription opioids or cocaine. Instead, we found the opposite — that most deaths were caused by fentanyl alone,' study co-investigator Noa Krawczyk, PhD, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, said in a press release. 'These findings highlight the changing risks of the drug supply and the need for better access to harm-reduction services to prevent deaths among youth,' the investigators wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Megan Miller, MPH, Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City. It was published online on May 20 in Pediatrics . LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by potential residual misclassification in mortality coding practices, small sample sizes for examining youth who identify as more than one race, and lack of information about sexual orientation. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Krawczyk reported receiving compensation for expert witness testimony as a part of ongoing opioid litigation. The other investigators reported having no relevant financial disclosures.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists issue urgent warning to festivalgoers over terrifying new drug that's 500 TIMES stronger than heroin – as two people die from suspected overdoses in Britain
Scientists have issued an urgent warning to festivalgoers over a terrifying new drug that is sweeping the country. Nitazenes are ultra-powerful synthetic opioids, similar to fentanyl, which can be up to 500 times stronger than heroin. Even a tiny dose can be enough to trigger fatal overdoses - with two people killed in the UK this week alone. Now, ahead of the summer festival season, experts warn that the deadly drug poses a 'huge public health risk'. Originally used by criminals to supercharge weak heroin, nitazenes are now being cut into common party drugs and even pharmaceuticals. Speaking to MailOnline, experts have raised concerns that musical festivals will be unable to keep attendees from accidentally taking these deadly drugs. Dr Adam Holland, co-chair of the Faculty of Public Health Drugs Special Interest Group, told MailOnline: 'We haven't been able to keep drugs out of prisons, so we're certainly not going to be able to keep drugs out of festivals. 'If you're going to take unregulated drugs, we strongly recommend testing them to ensure you're taking what you think you're taking.' What are nitazenes? Nitazenes are a group of chemicals originally developed as painkillers in the 1950s that were never licenced to be used as medicines. They are a type of drug called 'synthetic opioids' which means they were made in a lab but work on the same receptors in the brain as natural drugs like heroin and opium. However, the big difference between nitazenes and heroin is that the synthetic variants are significantly stronger and much more deadly. Even the weakest type of nitazene is about as strong as fentanyl, with the most potent being about 100 times stronger. This is a major problem for drug users because they have no way of knowing which types of nitazenes are in their drugs, making accidental overdoses much more likely. Dr Holland says: 'Most nitazenes are extremely dangerous. You only need to consume a tiny amount of these drugs to fatally overdose, and they could be found in a range of substances.' This week, a man, 28, and a woman, 20, allegedly overdosed after taking pills containing nitazenes after visiting a nightclub in south London. What are nitazenes? Nitazenes are a group of chemicals called synthetic opioids. This means they are not found in nature but act on the same parts of the brain as drugs like heroin and opium. Nitazenes were originally developed to be painkillers but were never licenced since they were too dangerous and unpredictable. They can range from 50 to 500 times stronger than heroin and cause overdoses in very small amounts. In the last two years alone they have already caused over 400 deaths in the UK. Authorities believe that the pills were sold as 'oxycodone', a powerful prescription painkiller often used by clubbers to help fall asleep after taking other drugs. Recently, nitazenes have spread wildly through the UK drug market, leading some experts to warn of a 'second wave for the UK drug-related death crisis '. In the last two years, 485 people have died after using nitazenes and the official figures show a rapid increase. Of those deaths, 333 took place in 2024 alone - a 166 per cent increase on previous years. Additionally, Dr Holland says this is 'certainly an underestimate' of the true figure as monitoring systems try to catch up with new drugs. What should festivalgoers look out for? With major festivals such as Glastonbury and Download rapidly approaching, there are now serious concerns that nitazenes could lead to a spike in deaths. The problem is that nitazenes are increasingly being cut into common party drugs and sold to unsuspecting users. Fake pills sold online, such as this counterfeit diazepam (Valium) tablet, have been found to contain the super-strength drug Which drugs are most likely to contain nitazenes? Oxycontin Oxycodone Valium Xanax Heroin Even more worryingly, dealers are increasingly selling products containing nitazenes which have been repackaged in blister packs to look like prescription medication. Dr Holland says: 'In terms of nitazenes, most people using drugs in festivals and nightlife settings would be at the greatest risk from drugs purchased as benzodiazepines - like Valium or Xanax - or opioids, which they might be taking at the end of the night to come down, or to help them sleep.' MailOnline analysis of data from the UK's only drug testing facility WEDINOS has revealed that two-thirds of samples that contained nitazenes were supposed to be legal medications that could be purchased legally. Two-thirds of those 'legal' drugs containing nitazenes were purchased by people trying to buy Valium. Why are festivals more dangerous this year? This public health risk may be even higher this year because the government is still restricting access to testing services. Currently, the Home Office is allowing licenced 'back-of-house' testing at festivals. This means drug-testing services such as The Loop, the only licenced festival drug testing service, can test surrendered or confiscated drugs and issue warnings if anything dangerous is found. What to do if someone overdoses on opioids Keep calm and follow these steps: Make sure that you're not in any danger first Keeping yourself safe is important. Call 999 and ask for an ambulance Check to see if there is anything obstructing their airways Place the person in the recovery position You can find out how to do this here If you have Prenoxad, inject it into their thigh or upper arm muscle If you have Nyxoid, place the spray in their nose and press the plunger Wait with the person until the ambulance arrives, and give the used naloxone kit to the paramedics Source: Katy Porter, CEO at The Loop, told MailOnline: 'The deaths in London, following a night out clubbing, have demonstrated the increasing and wider risk of exposure to nitazenes. 'Drug checking, accessible to the public, can identify substances of concern in circulation alongside purchase intent, and importantly communicate risk directly to an individual, and assisting in the prevention of overdose.' However, experts say the Government is putting lives at risk by maintaining a ban on 'front-of-house' drug checking. These services would allow users to hand over a sample of their drugs to be tested and receive information about what it contains and in what purity. This service was entirely legal until 2023 when the Conservative-led Home Office suddenly moved to block festivals from testing drugs. In light of this, experts warn that authorities should be ready to deal with a higher number of potentially fatal overdoses. Dr Holland says: 'Whatever you think about drugs, a significant proportion of the population is always going to use them - evidence suggests that drug checking prevents the use of dangerous drugs like nitazenes. 'The Government is currently preventing drug checking services from being offered in festivals, which is counterproductive, and likely to increase the risk of incidents in the coming festival season.' How to tell if someone has overdosed Keep an eye out for these signs that someone is having an overdose: Deep snoring/gurgling noises You can't wake the person up, and they don't respond if you shake their shoulders or call their name A blue tinge to the lips, nail beds or other extremities They have stopped breathing You should always call 999 if you think someone is having an overdose. Don't be scared that you'll get in trouble. The ambulance will not bring the police with them except in very particular cases. Source: Likewise, Dr Kars de Bruijne, senior research fellow at the Clingendael Institute, told MailOnline: 'Whether there is a festival or not, Nitazenes are available on the streets and pose huge public health risks. 'It is advisable that there is general preparedness by authorities to respond to cases of overdosing and support with proper treatment.' A Government spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The Policing Minister and Minister for Public Health and Prevention have already written to festival organisers highlighting the serious threat posed by synthetic opioids and other drugs. 'They urged festival organisers and Police Crime Commissioners to work closely with health partners to ensure naloxone, which reverses the effect of an opioid overdose, is readily available. The spokesperson added that 'confiscated and surrendered drugs will continue to be tested at music festivals to identify toxic substances in circulation, and help prevent drug-related overdoses.' However, the Government maintains that it will not licence a testing service that offers 'personalised results' to users and adds that offering testing without a licence may be considered an offence. Why are nitazenes now such a problem for the UK? The sudden rise in popularity is largely down to nitazenes' low cost and high strength. Coming in either a liquid or powder form they are easy to bulk out with other substances to create low-cost drugs with an extremely high profit margin. Dr de Bruijne says: 'The reason that dealers could try nitazenes - despite them being extremely dangerous - is that they are highly addictive and thus generate demand and in very tiny amounts can be consumed without leading to an overdose.' However, the real boost for nitazenes came after the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan following the removal of American troops. The Taliban have cracked down on farmers growing opium poppies - the precursor for heroin - crippling the world's supply of the drug. Prior to the pandemic a kilo of heroin sold for roughly £16,000, but that has now jumped to around £26,000 per kilo, according to anecdotal reports. Meanwhile, the average purity of heroin on the streets has dropped to between 10 and 20 per cent in 2024 compared to 45 per cent in 2022. Dr de Bruijne says this has pushed organised crime groups to seek out synthetic alternatives such as nitazenes. Being so potent, nitazenes can also be moved across borders in smaller volumes before being diluted for sale which has made it hard to stop their spread. Current research suggests that the nitazene-containing drug 'kush' is being imported to West Africa via the UK and Europe in large quantities. However, it isn't yet clear where the nitazenes in the UK are coming from. Dr de Bruijne says: 'The simple answer is that we don't know if they are produced in the UK or Europe 'There is known production of Nitazenes in China. But there are indications that some of the mixture might happen in Western Europe or the UK and there are rumours about potential production of Nitazenes in Western Europe too.'
CNN
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Danger of synthetic opioids, rise of stablecoins, big day for gamers: Catch up on the day's stories
👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! It's a big day for gamers. Some Nintendo fans camped out overnight to get dibs on the new Switch 2 console, which arrived on store shelves. It marks the gaming giant's first major launch since the original Switch came out in 2017. Here's what else you might have missed during your busy day: 1️⃣ Synthetic opioids: Overdoses and drug poisonings are now the third-leading cause of death in people younger than 20 in the US, behind firearms and motor vehicle crashes. An emergency room doctor explains why opioids are so dangerous. 2️⃣ 'Absolute sh*tshow': NASA scientists are in limbo after the Trump administration proposed eliminating the Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Closing the lab could jeopardize the country's leadership role in global climate science. 3️⃣ Travel ban: President Donald Trump announced a sweeping crackdown that prevents citizens from a dozen nations from entering the US — and seven more face partial restrictions. Here's what we know about the countries on the list. 4️⃣ All about stablecoins: They're a type of crypto asset that is tied to the value of another currency, such as the US dollar or gold. The coins have grown in popularity in recent years for use in digital payments, and now Congress is debating how to regulate them. 5️⃣ Worms galore: For the first time, scientists were able to capture images of nematodes that stack themselves into a wriggling, vertical tower. Watch the tiny architects in action. GET '5 THINGS' IN YOUR INBOX CNN's 5 Things newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest headlines and fascinating stories to start and end your busy day. Sign up here. 👃 The nose knows: Nasal strips can help prevent snoring and improve sleep — and they may even enhance athletic performance. Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz is a big fan of wearing them during matches to aid in his recovery between points, but do they actually work that way? An expert weighs in on the benefits. • Feud between Trump and Musk explodes into public view• Judge says Sean 'Diddy' Combs could be excluded from courtroom for nodding at jury• Supreme Court sides with straight woman in decision that makes it easier to win 'reverse discrimination' suits That's how many men in Australia reported using violence with an intimate partner in a study that shows gender-based abuse is rising. 🔍 'Borrowed': Greenpeace activists took a wax statue of French President Emmanuel Macron from the Grévin Museum and placed it outside the Russian embassy in Paris to protest continued business ties between the two countries. Although McCarthyism was bad, it wasn't anywhere as pervasive as it is right now — that kind of fear you see stretching through law firms and universities. George Clooney 💬 Politics of fear: The actor sat down with CNN's Anderson Cooper on the set of his Broadway play 'Good Night, and Good Luck,' which focuses on Edward R. Murrow's famous battle with Sen. Joseph McCarthy. 🪡 Michaels is expanding its fabric selection following the collapse of which competitor?A. JoannB. A.C. MooreC. Hobby LobbyD. Factory Direct Craft⬇️ Scroll down for the answer. ⚽ A goal-orious mistake: The manager of Finland's women's national soccer team accidentally called up a 51-year-old with the same surname as a 23-year-old she meant to select. Stina Ruuskanen, who last played for the Finnish national team 29 years ago, took it all in good spirits. 'I'm definitely ready if the call comes!' she joked. 👋 We'll see you tomorrow.🧠 Quiz answer: A. Michaels is jumping into the void left by the collapse of Joann. Test your knowledge with CNN's weekly news quiz in tomorrow's 5 Things newsletter.📧 Check out all of CNN's newsletters. 5 Things PM is produced by CNN's Chris Good, Meghan Pryce, Kimberly Richardson and Morgan Severson.
Reuters
05-06-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Surge in new opioids and designer drugs threatens Europe, EU drug agency warns
MADRID, June 5 (Reuters) - Massive shipments of previously unknown recreational designer drugs and potent new opioids are threatening Europe, while traffic of cocaine and cannabis is worsening, according to the European Union Drugs Agency's annual report published on Thursday. Seizures of synthetic cathinones - stimulants chemically akin to the active ingredient in khat, a plant widely consumed in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula - reached 37 metric tons in 2023, primarily imported from India. Seven new cathinones were identified last year, suggesting their growing prevalence. The report also warned of new synthetic opioids, particularly nitazenes, which it said posed "severe poisoning" risks. Nitazenes can be orders of magnitude stronger than heroin - or even fentanyl - and have been linked by U.S. and British authorities to increases in overdose deaths. The report - which compiled data from the 27 EU member states plus Norway and Turkey - stressed the need for improved monitoring and alert systems, as well as better preparedness and cross-sector collaboration to combat drug-related crime and public health risks. Meanwhile, cannabis remained Europe's most consumed illicit drug, with increasingly potent products complicating health risk assessments. The average tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in cannabis resin has doubled over the past decade, the report said. In 2024, authorities detected 18 new varieties of semi-synthetic cannabinoids such as hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), which in many countries can be sold legally because those molecules are often not explicitly banned. Cocaine use was also rising, as shown by record seizures of 419 tons in 2023. Major ports in Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands were key entry points, the report said.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning after two suspected opioid deaths at the weekend: Met Police urge Brits to take care after pills '500 times stronger than heroin' are feared to be being used in nightclubs
An urgent warning has been issued after two people died in a suspected synthetic opioid overdose following a night out over the weekend. A man, 28, and woman, 20, are thought to have taken Nitazenes, believed to be up to 500 times stronger than heroin, after partying at a south London nightclub during the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Their bodies were later discovered at a property in Southall, west London, after a concerned friend was unable to wake the pair. The Met Police confirmed an investigation into their 'sudden deaths' had commenced but no arrests had been made yet. The force added: 'This is following reports that the individuals allegedly passed away after taking an illicit substance in the form of a green pill.' Drug testing charity The Loop has suggested these pills contain Nitazenes, which can be '50 to 500 times stronger than heroin'. The organisation added that they are often sold under the pretence that they are oxycodone, a highly addictive prescription painkiller. A theory is that the pair thought they were taking oxycodone to assist them in getting to sleep, The Times reports. World famous south London club Ministry Of Sound warned its customers to 'stay safe' last week, just days after the deaths over Bank Holiday weekend. The pills taken by the users over the weekend had the number 80 on one side and possibly an 'OP' on the other, Ealing Council said. The Cause nightclub in east London has taken to its Instagram account to claim there had been 'several hospitalisations across multiple London venues' associated with the pills. MailOnline has approached the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to verify this statement. The Met Police has also been contacted for comment. An Ealing Council spokesperson told people to avoid taking the pills 'even in small amounts' and that people considering consuming them should not do so by themselves. Users should also think about carrying naloxone - an opioid overdose antidote. Nitazenes were first created in the 1950s as opioid painkillers but were never approved for medical use. For 70 years, their existence was forgotten. Then, after Britain and America's withdrawal from Afghanistan - and the Taliban's subsequent narcotics ban - they re-emerged as a way to strengthen low-purity heroin in case opium supplies dwindled. Experts are united in their fear of the rising risk of nitazenes. Yet, while heroin users are still vulnerable, young people buying traditionally legal drugs such as Valium and Xanax as coping mechanisms are also at risk. In fact, MailOnline analysis of data from the UK's only drug testing facility Wedinos has revealed that two-thirds of samples that contained nitazenes were supposed to be legal medications that could be purchased legally. Two-thirds of that total were bought by people intending to buy Valium (diazepam). So far, the number of nitazene-related deaths only stands at 458 in the last two years, up to April 13. However, there was a 166 per cent increase from 2023 (125 deaths) to 2024 (333 deaths) - more than double in a single year, and even that total is expected to rise once toxicology and forensic testing improves and is finalised. Steve Rolles, a senior policy analyst at the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, told MailOnline: 'The number of deaths is rising at an alarming rate. It's the tip of the iceberg. 'What has happened in the US should be a warning to policymakers in the UK. We could be heading to a US-style overdose crisis. We are talking thousands or tens of thousands dying. 'All the indications are that is what is happening. I'm very wary of scaremongering about drugs but I'm deeply worried about the potential carnage opioids could do in the UK. 'We already have the highest overdose rate in Europe. Nitazenes could make it way, way worse. 'This is a very serious public health emergency that's not being taken seriously enough.' He added: 'I am scared. There's almost one person dying every day from nitazenes and most people haven't even heard of it. 'If it was anything else, there would be national panic. The government hasn't grasped the urgency of this.' Rolles is starting to see heroin mixed with nitazenes on the streets of Britain. He said: 'It does seem it's getting more [prevalent] as the heroin supply dries up.'
