The NDLEA warns Nigerians about a plot to introduce lethal synthetic opioids
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has revealed plans by some unscrupulous elements to introduce a lethal synthetic opioid, Fentanyl, which is 100 times stronger than Tramadol, into the Nigerian market, warning that the illicitly manufactured drug is capable of causing mass casualties among the youth population targeted by the cartels.
The anti-narcotics agency said in a statement on Friday that every effort must be made to ensure that the drug, which is currently responsible for over 70% of overdose deaths and a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States, is not allowed to circulate in Nigeria due to its lethality and the country’s current drug abuse prevalence of 14.4%.
We are aware of desperate efforts by some drug cartels to introduce Fentanyl into the Nigerian market, which, according to the CDC, is 80 times stronger than morphine and 100 times stronger than heroin. They intend to do so in liquid or powder form, as well as with misleading labels, in order to target our youth population. They may also combine this with other prescription drugs. Fentanyl in liquid form, illegally manufactured, can be found in nasal sprays, eye drops, and small candies.
“As a result, parents and other stakeholders should be vigilant, alert, and warn their children against experimenting with this illicit substance.” According to the NDLEA, signs of fentanyl exposure and/or overdose include pinpoint pupils, falling asleep or losing consciousness, slow and shallow breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, a limp body, and pale, blue, or cold skin.
The Agency wishes to reassure the public that all necessary assets have been deployed to monitor the cartels involved in this latest threat to public health in order to frustrate their criminal plot and bring them to justice.
Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Tuesday, November 8, 2022