Spike in Overdose Deaths Tied to Synthetic Opioids Detected in Australian Wastewater: An Update on Australia’s Drug Crisis

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The discovery of {“term”: “Synthetic opioids”, “property”: “a thousand times stronger than morphine”}}, a substance similar to animal sedatives, in Australia’s wastewater has raised significant concerns. This finding is a “red flag” as the deadly class of synthetic opioids – nitazines – has been responsible for numerous fatalities in Australia.

Researchers analyzed 180 wastewater samples from 60 locations across the nation and detected five types of nitazenes in 3-6% of these samples.

Since their emergence in the illicit market in the late 2010s, these synthetic opioids have become one of the fastest-growing psychoactive substances globally.

Nitazenes, whether used intentionally or not, have led to overdoses in Australia. They are often mixed into illicit drugs like heroin and MDMA (ecstasy) as well as other substances.

The study, which also looked at wastewater collected from 60 sites over three days last August, found high levels of xylazine, a sedative commonly used by veterinarians and not approved for human use in Australia. It was present in one-quarter of the samples.

“Given the potency of nitazenes and the health complications associated with xylazine, even low-level detections are a major concern,” stated Emma Keller, a co-first author of the study from the University of South Australia.

The researchers developed a highly sensitive method for detecting these substances in wastewater, which could serve as a crucial early warning system for health authorities.

This is the first comprehensive analysis of nitazene compounds and xylazine in Australian wastewater. Dr. Keller and Dr. Gerber’s method can be quickly adjusted to detect new derivatives as they emerge.

The study was published on 22 April 2023 in the latest issue of the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research.

The lead funder of the study was the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, one of several public authorities concerned about the rising use of nitazenes.

Since 2021, nitazenes have been found in every state and territory in Australia and have been linked to at least 23 overdose deaths in Victoria and seven in South Australia.

Recent weeks saw a coroner conclude that four individuals, including one as young as 17, died after overdosing on cocaine laced with nitazenes in the same Melbourne house.

Health authorities in New South Wales and South Australia have issued urgent warnings about nitazenes being sold as black-market oxycodone or other substances.

Customs officials intercepted over 60 imports of these drugs in 2023 and 2024, with most originating from Hong Kong, the UK, and Canada.

Australian federal police have described the use of nitazenes as “like playing Russian roulette” with lives.