A deadly drug with stronger effects than fentanyl has been found in New Zealand for the first time, prompting urgent warnings.
The highly potent synthetic opioid metonitazene has been found in a yellow powder, likely from crushed tablets, which are possibly in circulation nationwide, New Zealand's warning system for dangerous drugs High Alert reported.
Metonitazene has a potency "greater than fentanyl" and acts quickly to produce stong sedative and depressant effects. The tablets and powder have an unknown dosage and taking them could lead to serious harm, including death, High Alert said.
This substance may be sold as isotonitazene, oxycodone or an unspecified opioid, High Alert said. Fentanyl test strips cannot detect metonitazene or other 'nitazenes'.
Metonitazene is considered a new psychoactive substance (NPS) and started causing increased public health concerns beginning in 2020 in the United States. It has been reported to be linked to drug-related deaths in the US.
The World Health Organisation said in most metonitazene deaths users were seeking or using heroin or fentanyl at the time of death.
A sample of this substance found in New Zealand was submitted to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) for analysis, which determined the sample contained metonitazene. It was found in a yellow powder, likely crushed tablets and it may also be found in round yellow tablets with no markings.
High Alert is warning these tablets and powder have been offered for sale online and are possibly available throughout New Zealand.
It strongly recommends people don't take any yellow powder or tablets and recommends drug checking to help minimise the risk.
If you or someone you know take these tablets and start to lose consciousness or breathe slowly, call 111 immediately. Naloxone can be used to avoid the risk of overdose.
