Australia Faces Rising Threats From Synthetic Opioids

Australia faces rising threats from synthetic opioids

Reports of synthetic opioids contaminating Australia’s drug supply highlight the concerning pace at which they are entering the country. To better understand the emerging threat of nitazenes and other new synthetic opioids (such as fentanyl analogues), a new study explores what we currently know about these substances and their related harms in Australia.

The Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Copenhagen has reported the discovery of a fake blister pack of the opioid OxyContin, which contains a particularly potent substance in the group of nitazenes. The pills are dangerous and can pose a high risk of overdose, writes the Danish Health Authority. If you have purchased prescribed OxyContin at a pharmacy, there is no risk of receiving a fake blister pack. If you have taken nitazene…

Nitazenes, which were found in the fake package, are a group of opioids that are a hundred times stronger than morphine.