Nitaznes, these overpowered opioids that worry Europe – RTS.CH

Like fentanyl, nitazens are synthetic opioids, therefore produced in the laboratory. Meanwhile, They act similarly to opiates from the poppy. For example. Therefore, like heroin, but are much more powerful and difficult to dose, describes the French group of addiction studies (GREA).

The Nitaznes were developed in the 1950s by a Swiss pharmaceutical company. Similarly, CIBA AG, which, after its merger with Sandoz, became Novartis in 1996. However, These opioids were first developed as analgesic, therefore as painkillers.

First in North America – Nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry – Nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry new

Criminal networks have recovered the recipe and diverted it. nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry new Similarly. The Nitaznes appeared on the street in the United States, Canada, then in Europe nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry from 2019. Furthermore, Today, their production, their logistics and their trade are taking place in an illegal manner mainly from China.

In 2023, 28 countries reported the presence of around twenty types of different Nitaznes at the United Nations. For example, Twelve of them are now under international control.

Less heroin. more Nitaznes – Nitaznes. these overpowered opioids worry – Nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry new

In Europe, “a good number of these Nitaznes arrive on the market due to nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry new the drop in opium production in Afghanistan. Europe depends strongly on Afghanistan for its heroine supply. the Nitazens somehow fill this vacuum. ” explains Gillian Shorter, conference nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry in clinical psychology and expert in the opioid crisis in the United Kingdom.

This type of synthetic opioid. highly addictive. is today used mainly as a cutting product, especially for the heroine, in order to inflate the product sold, without mention to the buyer or the buyer. Users therefore do not know that they consume Nitazens.

Even if a person tolerates opioids. nitazens are so powerful that a tiny quantity can help cause a respiratory overdose

Nitaznes represent a fatal risk. says David Tebbet, of the independent organization “Transform Drug Policy Foundation” based in the United Kingdom and involved in discussions on drug regulation nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry new in the UN.

“The power of Nitaznes is incredible. Even if a person tolerates opioids. the Nitaznes are so powerful that a tiny amount. equivalent to a grain of sand, can help cause nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry a respiratory overdose,” said the specialist.

Death by overdose increasing

In Estonia. the number of overdose deaths linked to Nitaznes has increased in recent years, according to the United Nations. Additionally, The British government has published figures on this subject: between June 2023 and January 2025, 458 deaths linked to Nitazens were identified. “Each region of England experienced at least one death linked to Nitaznes,” is alarmed by Gillian Shorter.

In Switzerland, there is no precise statistics, but cases are mentioned on the Confederation site. Furthermore, “In Drug Checking centers, there are people who brought somewhat suspicious substances and we found Nitaznes. They were rather people who had ordered products on the Internet. ” said Barbara nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry new Boers, professor in addiction medicine and Infodrog information sheet on synthetic opioids in Switzerland. “Maybe it’s the tip of the iceberg and there is already everywhere,” she adds.

Today. the great challenge concerning this fatal substance nitaznes. these overpowered opioids worry is to detect it, knowing that many toxicological tests on the market do not have the capacity to do so. During an autopsy. it is also possible that doctors only analyze the first drugs found in the body. miss the presence of Nitaznes.

>> Also review the development report on the opioid crisis in the United States:

>> Read also: Faced with the scourge of opioids, the United States tried to treat drug addicts

Towards an opioid crisis in Europe?

Addiction professionals highlight the threat of an opioid crisis on European soil. However, it is impossible to predict when it could intervene. They nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry also believe that Europe is not ready. GREA thus underlines the importance of anticipating and not only reacting. In the United States, 80,000 deaths linked to opioids were noted in 2024.

Professionals highlight several measures to prepare: more Drug Checking. these spaces in which consumers can have their drugs tested. thus know what they are composed, better support for people in dependence and addictions, often stigmatized, and awareness of the population about drugs and first aid gestures in the event of overdose. Associations ask States to invest more in this sector.

Other challenges remain to be met if nitaznes, these overpowered opioids worry new a surge of opioids of this type were to spread greatly in Europe. in particular the question of the naloxone supply. an antidote drug which makes it possible to reverse the respiratory judgment under opioid.

Radio subject; Salomé Laurent

Adaptation web: lia