14 July, 2025
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Concerns are mounting over nitazenes, a highly potent synthetic opioid that is evading Australian customs and contributing to a rising number of drug-related deaths. Experts estimate that nitazenes are a thousand times stronger than heroin, and at least 17 Australians have died from their use since 2021. These dangerous substances are often found in counterfeit medications and recreational drugs, posing a significant public health risk.

According to Shane Neilson of the Australian Crime Intelligence Commission (ACIC), nitazenes are being imported in small, undetectable amounts, making them easy to smuggle through the mail. “The traditional serious and organised crime groups do not play a significant role, as the less sophisticated groups are bringing the drugs into the country,” Neilson stated.

Surge in Overdose Deaths

The Australian Federal Police reported intercepting eight nitazene imports at the border between January 2024 and March 2025, with parcels originating from Canada, the United States, and Hong Kong. These substances are frequently mixed into drugs sold online, marketed deceptively as opiates and benzodiazepines, which are commonly used for pain relief and anxiety management.

Nitazenes have also been detected in popular party drugs such as MDMA and GHB. “They’ve been identified in vape liquids, tablet forms, powders, and nasal sprays,” said Amber Migus of the ACIC. The ease of ordering these potent compounds from internet manufacturers allows dealers to enhance their supply, albeit with deadly consequences. A mere fraction of a gram can be lethal.

Statistics reveal the gravity of the opioid crisis. Approximately three Australians die each day from opioid-related overdoses. Opiates are responsible for the majority of unintentional drug deaths, followed by benzodiazepines. Alarmingly, the number of drug-induced deaths related to benzodiazepines doubled in the two decades leading up to 2022. The Penington Institute found that more individuals succumb to unintentional drug overdoses than to road accidents.

Understanding the Market Dynamics

The motivations behind mixing nitazenes with other drugs are complex. Neilson explained that evidence from the opioid crisis in the United States suggests that dealers may be introducing nitazenes to cultivate a more loyal customer base. As users develop a dependency on the stronger compound, they become reliant on nitazenes, allowing dealers to sell them directly.

While Australia has not faced an opioid crisis on the scale of the United States, strict prescribing regulations have been credited with averting a similar fate. “It means that prevention and preventative actions can work in relation to illicit drug markets,” Migus commented. “And we’re always going to be watchful in relation to synthetic opioids because they are potentially so dangerous.”

Despite the increasing presence of nitazenes, a report published by the federal government in 2021 indicated that 70 percent of fatal opioid overdoses in Australia involved prescribed medications. Health authorities urge anyone taking opioids, whether legally or illegally, to carry naloxone, a medication available in both nasal spray and injectable forms that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

The ongoing issue of nitazenes highlights the need for heightened vigilance among health and law enforcement officials. As these substances continue to infiltrate the drug market, the threat to public safety remains significant, prompting calls for more robust measures to combat their spread.