The Irish Prison Service has issued an urgent drug alert following the detection of nitazene-type drugs in Irish prisons.
This synthetic opioid, known for its overdose potential and fatality risk, was identified by the HSE National Drug Treatment Centre Laboratory.
Nitazene, which has been appearing in the public since June, is often found in yellow tablets resembling benzodiazepines but is significantly more dangerous.
Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE National Clinical Lead of Addiction Services, warned that these tablets pose a severe health risk due to their potency and potential for overdose, especially for those not accustomed to high opioid doses.
Recent reports indicate that nitazene has been linked to overdoses in Limerick, Dublin, and the southeast of Ireland. In November, the HSE issued a warning after over 20 overdoses in Dublin in just one day, with the drug appearing previously in powder form.
Now, its presence in tablet form is raising concerns about a broader distribution.
The Irish Prison Service’s recent overdose case led to a tablet being sent for analysis, confirming its identity as the nitazene variant detected nationwide.
This alert comes amidst a global decline in opium production, particularly from Afghanistan, which has seen a 95% reduction in the past year. The resulting heroin shortage has led to an increase in synthetic opioids like nitazene entering the European market.
Prof. Keenan expressed concern that synthetic opioids could replace heroin in Ireland due to their higher potency and increased risk of overdose and death.
