24 Nov 2023

Concerns raised about powerful synthetic opioid

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 24 November 2023

A warning is out that an opioid even more potent than fentanyl is circulating the country.

The Drug Foundation says Nitazenes, a family of synthetic opioids, were first reported in Aotearoa in October last year.

Kathryn speaks to Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm and psychiatrist and Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley addiction specialist Sam McBride.

A sample of a drug called, nitazene, being sold across New Zealand

Warnings over nitazene which is becoming more prevalent across New Zealand. Photo: High Alert