The rising threat of synthetic opioids coming in a variety of forms the new synthetic opioids (NSOs) are one of the fastest-growing groups of new psychoactive substances around the world.
The potency of both substances are broadly equivalent and making them roughly 50 times more potent than heroin, there target audience.
The rising threat of synthetic opioids
The Illicit drug use is damaging large parts of the world socially, politically and environmentally. Patterns of supply and demand are changing rapidly.
New synthetic opioids (NSOs) are one of the fastest-growing groups of new psychoactive substances around the world. The EU Drugs Agency (EUDA) currently monitors 81 NSOs – the fourth-largest group of drugs under observation.
At least 27 fatalities linked to nitazenes that year in the UK. Since then, nitazenes – otherwise known as 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids – have become more prevalent in the UK’s illegal drug supply, leading some experts to warn that they are a major new threat because of their extreme potency.
Only a small amount of nitazene is required to produce a fatal dose.
The increasing availability of these and other synthetic drugs led the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to warn in August 2024 that “there has never been a more dangerous time to take drugs”. Like Haslam and Davies, many heroin users are unaware they might also be consuming nitazenes, which significantly increase the risk of overdose.
‘There has never been a more dangerous time to take drugs’
‘There has never been a more dangerous time to take drugs’ with the rising threat of synthetic opioids. The theory is all coming from big Pharma companies, who are exploiting new market opportunities in Africa by opioid producer countries like India.
This is of particular concern given that the UK has the largest heroin market in Europe, comprising around 300,000 users in England alone.
Unlike opium, nitazenes and other synthetic opioids can be produced anywhere in the world using precursor chemicals that are often uncontrolled and widely available.
The UK has the largest heroin market in Europe
Opioid producer countries like India and The United States have not yet banned all nitazene compounds, meaning they are sold legally – mostly online. Chemical manufacturing companies in these countries can synthesise nitazenes at scale using a comparatively easy three or four-step process.
Nitazenes are not limited to the dark web. They are widely and openly advertised on the internet, social media and music streaming platforms.
Nitazene use and supply in the UK currently remains relatively low. This situation could change rapidly in future, especially if larger criminal networks involved in heroin importation switch to smuggling NSOs, and there is a genuine shortage of Afghan heroin.
This problem would be compounded if drug users start seeking nitazenes, thus creating demand for them, especially when you consider the UK has the largest heroin market in Europe.
