Legislators Team Up to Combat Nitazen
Two bipartisan lawmakers are uniting to tackle the issue of Nitazen, a dangerous new synthetic opioid that is contributing to a rise in overdose deaths.
The Nitazen Control Act, spearheaded by Rep. Eugene Windman (D-VA) and Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), aims to address this issue by categorizing the drug as having no medical utility and posing a high risk of overdose.
This legislation also aims to close loopholes that enable certain forms of the drug to evade existing regulations against synthetic opioids.
As U.S. authorities intensify efforts to curb the fentanyl supply, Chinese pharmaceutical companies and Mexican cartels are reportedly turning to Nitazen—a substance that is over 40 times deadlier than fentanyl.
“Nitazen is poised to become the next fentanyl. It’s inexpensive to manufacture, easy to move, and incredibly lethal. Because of these synthetic drugs, far too many families are missing loved ones at the dinner table,” Vindman remarked.
Both lawmakers expressed commitment to work together to confront this crisis, safeguard their communities, and equip law enforcement with the necessary tools to save lives.
Recently, Windman and Baumgartner toured the Drug Enforcement Administration’s training facilities in Quantico.
“Drug traffickers adapt quickly, often outpacing legislation. By addressing this loophole, we can stay ahead of these lethal substances,” Vindman stated.
Baumgartner voiced his concern about the potential for Nitazen to trigger a major surge in the opioid crisis.
“It’s a potent synthetic drug, even stronger than fentanyl, and has already surfaced in counterfeit pills and street drugs nationwide. Immediate action is essential,” he emphasized.
The bill proposes a proactive strategy to crack down on these substances before their prevalence increases, while still allowing for legitimate medical research.
Regular drug testing and toxicology screens often fail to detect Nitazen, as it’s not typically included in standard testing protocols.
This potent drug was initially explored as a possible alternative to morphine six decades ago but was ultimately deemed too hazardous for medical use. Nitazen was first identified in the U.S. in 2019.
