Nitazenes: Urgent warning about fentanyl-like zombie drug wreaking havoc in US now takes over Western Sydney after wave of overdoses

An urgent warning has been issued over a new opioid drug following a spate of overdoses.

Nitazenes have been found in drug samples linked to a cluster of about 20 overdoses reported in the Penrith area, western Sydney, over the past month.

The synthetic super-strength opioid is similar to fentanyl, which has devastated parts of the US, leaving addicts strolling around in a drugged haze in cities like San Francisco, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Portland.

But the drug – manufactured in illegal Chinese labs and smuggled abroad – is even more dangerous than fentanyl and hundreds of times more powerful than heroin, causing users to overdose much more often.

Synthetic super-strength opioids such as fentanyl and now nitasenes have been accused of creating “zombieland” scenes in several major US cities. Pictured, Fentanyl users passed out on the streets of Sacramento, California

“Nitazenes are extremely powerful,” Dr Hester Wilson, chief specialist in addiction medicine at NSW Health, said in a public health statement.

‘It is important that people recognize the signs of an opioid overdose early and know how to respond.

‘Opioids such as heroin can cause pinpoint pupils, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing/snoring and blue/grey discolouration of the skin and can be life-threatening.

‘One of the dangers of the illegal drug supply is that the strength and content of the substance you receive is unknown and can be inconsistent.

“In light of this detection, people who use drugs like heroin should carry naloxone.”

Synthetic opioid users often lie on the streets, lost in the grip of substance abuse. Pictured: A man suspected of being under the influence of drugs in Seattle

The synthetic, super-strength opioids are similar to Fentanyl, which has devastated parts of the US

Users of synthetic opioids can remain mobile but in a distorted mental state, giving the so-called “zombie countries” their name. This man, believed to be on drugs, was photographed in San Francisco last year

NSW Health notes that naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, but it must be administered quickly as the drug is more likely to cause respiratory arrest.

Nitazenes can last longer in the body than heroin and naloxone. Therefore, higher and repeated doses of naloxone are often required in addition to hospital treatment.

The drugs cause feelings of pain relief, euphoria, relaxation and drowsiness, as well as sweating, itching and nausea.

Anyone using naloxone is urged to call Triple Zero immediately after use for an ambulance for aftercare.