A new class of synthetic opioids called nitazenes is causing alarm in the United States. These drugs, produced in secret labs in China, are reported to be 43 times more lethal than fentanyl. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warns that nitazenes are now linked to the deaths of young Americans, prompting urgent calls for action.
This year, two young men from Texas tragically lost their lives after taking pills that were falsely labeled as Xanax and Percocet. Lucci Reyes-McCallister, 22, died in January, while Hunter Clement, 21, passed away in April. Both young men ingested pills laced with nitazenes, highlighting the dangers of these synthetic opioids. Their mothers have since launched a campaign urging the government to address this growing crisis.
Ruthi Clement, Hunter’s mother, expressed her grief and determination to prevent similar tragedies. “Sometimes I get mad because I couldn’t save my own son, but I do want to save other people, even if it’s just one person in honor of him,” she said.
Derek Maltz, a former acting administrator at the DEA, described the situation as part of an "ongoing attack against America" from China. He noted that while the nation has begun to focus on fentanyl, new and dangerous substances like nitazenes are emerging from clandestine labs.
The DEA’s 2024 report indicates a worrying trend: a shift from plant-based drugs to synthetic ones. This change has led to a drug crisis unlike any seen before in the U.S., with synthetic drugs responsible for nearly all fatal overdoses. The Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels are central to this crisis, using sophisticated supply chains to bring these deadly drugs into the country.
Nitazenes are easily accessible online through suppliers based in China, and Mexican cartels leverage their connections to acquire these dangerous substances. In Philadelphia, nitazene analogues have been linked to at least five deaths, with more suspected. Health officials have identified specific compounds, such as N-desethyl isotonitazene, in overdose cases.
One significant concern is that traditional overdose reversal drugs like naloxone may not be effective against nitazenes. This raises the stakes for first responders and communities dealing with the fallout from this crisis.
At JFK Airport, customs officials report encountering nitazenes regularly, with shipments arriving in varying quantities. Andrew Renna, Assistant Port Director for Cargo Operations, noted that they see these drugs coming through the airport several times a week.
The rise of nitazenes underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and action to combat this growing threat to public health. As families mourn their loved ones, the push for government intervention continues to gain momentum.
