First Detection of Highly Potent Opioids in African Drug Users, Says Report

In a groundbreaking discovery, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) has unveiled that nitazenes, a class of highly potent synthetic opioids, have been detected for the first time among drug users in Africa. This revelation comes from a detailed report focusing on Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau, highlighting a significant shift in the drug consumption patterns on the continent.

Nitazenes, known for their potency which can surpass that of heroin by up to 100 times and fentanyl by up to 10 times, pose a severe risk of overdose and death due to their strength. The report underscores the dangers these substances present, especially when users are unaware of their presence in consumed drugs.

Chemical testing conducted on 'kush', a cannabis derivative laced with synthetic drugs like fentanyl and tramadol, as well as chemicals such as formaldehyde, revealed alarming results. In Sierra Leone, an astonishing 83% of the samples tested positive for nitazenes. Meanwhile, in Guinea-Bissau, 55% of the samples contained these dangerous opioids.

The GI-TOC report suggests that this is the first evidence of nitazenes penetrating retail drug markets in Africa. This finding is particularly concerning given the high rates of drug addiction among young people in West and Central Africa. The World Health Organisation reports that cannabis use ranges between 5.2% and 13.5% among this demographic, making it the most widely used illicit substance on the continent.

In response to the growing drug epidemic, Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio has declared war on kush, labeling it a national threat. The presence of nitazenes in substances sold to young people indicates a grave risk, as many are likely consuming these potent opioids unknowingly.

The report also suggests that nitazenes are being imported into Sierra Leone from other regions and that the chemical composition of kush sold in Guinea-Bissau closely matches that found in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This finding points to a broader issue of drug trafficking and distribution across borders.

To combat this emerging threat, the GI-TOC recommends that officials in Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau prioritize the deployment of chemical testing equipment. Such measures are deemed essential for accurately monitoring illicit drug markets and developing effective, evidence-based responses to curb drug abuse and its associated risks.

This report serves as a crucial call to action for governments across Africa to address the infiltration of nitazenes into local drug markets. Without immediate intervention, the continent could face an unprecedented public health crisis stemming from these highly potent opioids.