A Lethal Frankenstein Narcotic: Nitazene’s Rise to Deadliness
A growing number of drug users are falling victim to a potent and deadly opioid called nitazene, which is often unknowingly mixed with drugs like cocaine, fentanyl, and Xanax. Within minutes of use, nitazene can cause a user to collapse, slip into a coma, or even die.
Chelsea Curtis, a US Attorney’s Narcotics Unit, shares her family’s tragic story of loss to nitazene. Her older brother, Scott, 32, unknowingly took nitazene-laced cocaine and died suddenly after coming out of the shower. This was not an isolated incident, as the UK is currently experiencing a “drug-related crisis,” with 284 nitazene-related deaths recorded between June 2023 and August 2024.
Nitazenes are hundreds of times stronger than fentanyl, making them lethal in amounts equivalent to just two or three grains of salt. These synthetic opioids were initially created in the 1950s as a new form of pain relief, but were abandoned due to their potency. Now, over 20 types of nitazenes are emerging, including metonitazene, etonitazene, and isotazene, which have been dubbed “Frankenstein drugs” due to their unpredictable potency.
The presence of nitazenes in street drugs, vaping liquids, nasal sprays, and fake prescription medications is of “most concern.” According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the number of detected nitazenes continues to increase, with 22 types currently identified.
Chelsea Curtis has dedicated her life to educating people on the dangers of opioids and the stigma associated with addiction. She has lost three family members to drug-related deaths and is working to help others struggling with addiction. Her story is a testament to the devastating impact of nitazene on families and communities worldwide.
As the threat of these new opiates looms large, it remains unclear how to escape the opioid crisis, but one thing is certain: nitazene is a lethal force that demands immediate attention and action.
