We have reached a critical point in the opioid crisis as fentanyl continues to ravage communities and overwhelm first responders. While law enforcement works continuously to take these dangerous drugs off the streets, a new and potentially even more lethal class of drugs is emerging and causing great concern: nitazenes, which are extraordinarily potent and highly addictive.
To better understand consumer awareness of the nitazene drug, we recently conducted a survey in partnership with Dynata. The results paint a startling picture and point to important measures that will keep nitazenes from becoming the next fentanyl crisis.
Despite the Growing Presence Worldwide, Awareness of Nitazenes Remains Shockingly Low
Out of 1,000 respondents surveyed, 79% felt at least somewhat informed about the current state of the opioid crisis and new drug threats, however, 80% reported they had not heard of nitazenes. Despite nitazenes being on the DEA’s watchlist for years, the public is not aware of how pervasive the drugs have become.
The survey also found that generational differences were evident, as only 9% of Baby Boomers had heard of nitazenes, compared to 31% of Millennials, and 27% of Gen Z.
Age was not the only differentiator in awareness, as respondents in the Northeastern United States show the highest awareness at 31%, while the Midwest trails behind at 15%.
Low Awareness of Nitazenes Makes Them Even More Dangerous
Only 37% of respondents correctly identified that nitazenes are more potent than fentanyl, despite the fact they can be up to 100 times stronger.
In their illicit form, nitazenes often appear as white to yellowish powders, pills, or even vaping liquids and are frequently sold as “fentanyl-free” opioids, misleading users into believing they are safer. They are also often used as cutting agents for other illicit drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, cannabinoids, and even cocaine.
This practice significantly heightens the risk of overdose, as users unknowingly consume far stronger substances than they anticipate. Without being aware of the dangers of this highly potent drug, Americans risk a new wave of overdoses and a proliferation of nitazenes in neighborhood streets. Additionally, for first responders, this lack of awareness and detection capability can have serious consequences, as they may unknowingly expose themselves to these potent substances while on duty.
When asked about the biggest challenges in addressing synthetic opioids like nitazenes, 43% of respondents in our survey selected the lack of public awareness and education as the primary obstacle. However, 14% of respondents indicated that gaps in law enforcement training or resources were the biggest challenge in addressing the issue.
Even as Awareness Remains Low, Americans are Steadfast in their Resolve to Curb the Crisis
Nearly half of respondents believe international drug trafficking is the single worst source of synthetic opioids in the market, followed by illegally diverted pharmaceutical chemicals (22%), and clan labs (20%). However, as cartels and drug traffickers find new ways to disperse these drugs, it is crucial to enhance the detection measures available to law enforcement.
To stop the spread of nitazenes, law enforcement must be equipped with the right tools, and there’s plenty of public support: 63% of respondents strongly support equipping law enforcement officers with advanced detection tools to identify nitazenes in the field. Moreover, 77% agree that public resources—including tax dollars—should be allocated to provide these agencies with the necessary technology to combat the growing opioid crisis.
However, respondents were split on the enforcement measures with 32% believing that border control and international cooperation were the most important factors, followed by harsher penalties for the manufacture and distribution of the drug at 23%, and improved education and awareness of the dangers at 16%. Harm reduction efforts, such as naloxone, were ranked the lowest at just 6%.
Tech to Identify Nitazenes
While traditional field tests and forensic panels can detect common opioids like fentanyl and heroin, they often fail to identify nitazenes. Increasing identification capabilities is vital, as nitazenes can easily be hidden in drug combinations. Because nitazenes are often present in very small amounts, traditional field technologies may struggle to find the needle in the haystack.
However, the MX908, our portable, handheld device is proven to detect and identify even trace amounts of nitazenes—down to millionths (micro) and even billionths (nano) of a gram—making it an invaluable tool in tracking these dangerous substances. The MX908’s capabilities are particularly beneficial for detecting synthetic drugs like nitazenes, offering coverage for 13 different nitazene analogs, both in its device and off-device libraries, which are available through 908 Devices’ Reachback services.
For more information on nitazenes, read our recent blog post, and for more information on the MX908, visit our product page.
