New Synthetic Opioids Known as Nitazenes Are Extremely Dangerous

At Victory, countless times we have seen the dangers that arise from drugs laced with fentanyl. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 74,000 people died from fentanyl-related overdoses between August 2022 and August 2023. To put this in perspective, the most famous arena in New York, Madison Square Garden, seats 19,500 people. This means the number of people who died in a 12-month span from fentanyl would fill MSG over three and a half times. However, now there is a new class of synthetic opioids that are so powerful, that they make the fentanyl crisis appear as “the good times”. 

The Rise of Nitazenes  

Unfortunately, a new class of drugs known as nitazenes, has been appearing more frequently in street drugs. In fact, in 2022, the Tennessee Department of Health stated that deaths from overdoses had increased 4X in only two years. This is not only an issue in the United States – the United Kingdom is also facing a struggle with an increased number of nitazenes infiltrating the drug supply.  

It's important to note that back in the 1950s, these drugs were developed to serve as a treatment for extreme pain. The drugs were never approved because they were simply considered too dangerous. Sadly, here in 2024, we are now seeing the deadly effects of these drugs. They can even be found in “black-market” benzodiazepines, such as Xanax. A Xanax user would never think that one pill could kill them, but with the addition of nitazenes, one Xanax pill could indeed be deadly.  

Nitazenes In Comparison to Fentanyl 

These new synthetic opioids can be up to 1,000 times more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl is “only” 100 times more powerful than morphine. (Of course, 100X is still extremely powerful).  Both nitazenes and fentanyl are dangerous and deadly – but it is just shocking to see that the nitazenes are even more powerful than fentanyl.   

Victory Recovery Partners Can Help 

If you or someone you know is battling addiction, we would like to help. Victory Recovery Partners is a network of five addiction and recovery centers on Long Island, New York. We treat patients who are battling drug and alcohol addictions, providing them with complete care under one roof. We have seen first-hand the dangers of drugs such as fentanyl, and how common pills, such as Xanax, can be laced with it. Our services consist of Behavioral Health, Psychiatric, Wellness, and medication-assisted treatment, which provides our patients with the resources needed to become drug-free. At our Farmingville location, we offer Methadone as a treatment to help with opioid use. To learn more about Victory, please visit our website www.victoryrp.com