Unseen and Underrated: The Alarming Danger of Nitazenes in the Opioid Crisis, Even Stronger Than Fentanyl
It was meant to be just another night.
But for 24-year-old Alex Harpum, it became his last. He took what he believed was a prescription pill; possibly Xanax, but it was laced with a synthetic opioid so potent that even a trace amount was fatal.
That substance was a nitazene.
At the Center for Network Therapy (CNT), we meet individuals and families affected by stories like Alex’s. They are not alone, and neither are you.
A New Class of Danger: What Are Nitazenes?
Nitazenes are synthetic opioids originally developed in the 1950s but never approved for medical use. They’ve recently re-emerged on the streets, often found mixed into counterfeit pills or powdered drugs without any indication.
Some variants, like isotonitazene or protonitazene, are 20 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Even a few grains can cause respiratory failure in seconds.
The worst part? These drugs aren’t even detectable by standard drug tests unless specifically ordered.
The Illusion of Safety
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this crisis is that many victims don’t know what they’re taking.
In Alex’s case, the pill was likely sold as something else, an anti-anxiety medication or a painkiller. For people looking to manage stress, cope with trauma, or escape emotional pain, a counterfeit pill might seem like a safer alternative to street drugs.
But nitazenes are making “safer” feel like an illusion.
At CNT, we’ve seen the ripple effects; people who never thought they were in danger, families caught off-guard, emergency rooms that couldn’t reverse the damage fast enough.
Why Is This Crisis Hidden?
Part of the reason nitazene-related deaths don’t dominate headlines is that they’re often misattributed to fentanyl or go unreported due to testing limitations.
Standard toxicology panels often don’t include nitazenes unless specifically requested. This leads to underreported data, missed warnings, and a growing crisis that few are prepared to face.
For families, that means losing loved ones without ever fully understanding what happened.
We Need a New Kind of Awareness
This isn’t just about illegal drugs; it’s about access, stigma, and a dangerous gap in public knowledge.
Many of those affected are young people, often experimenting or self-medicating. They may have no history of substance use disorder, which makes prevention even harder.
This is why education, awareness, and stigma-free treatment are crucial.
At CNT, our outpatient detox model enables individuals to receive care without disrupting their daily lives. We believe in integrating recovery into the real world because that’s where these risks are happening.
What You Can Do
- If you’re using pills not prescribed to you, please pause. Even one pill can be contaminated.
- If you’re concerned about a loved one’s use, talk to them with openness and compassion, not judgment.
- And if you’re unsure whether you or someone you care about is at risk, take our confidential detox quiz to begin understanding your options.
We also encourage families and providers to stay informed about synthetic opioids. Learn what nitazenes are. Know what to ask for in a toxicology screen. Because awareness isn’t optional anymore, it’s urgent.
📞 Call us at 732-484-9661
We’re here to listen. Without shame, without pressure.
Evidence-based, outpatient care is available through the Center for Network Therapy.
