"Emergence of 'Frankenstein' Opioid: A Synthetic Drug Surpassing Fentanyl's Potency Worldwide"

Colorado law enforcement has issued a warning about a new opioid, nitazenes, which have been linked to a recent overdose death. Nitazenes, developed in the 1950s and 60s, are being modified by illicit drug manufacturers and can be up to 10 times as potent as fentanyl. While their presence in the drug market is still rare, experts expect their prevalence to increase. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, is effective in reversing overdoses involving nitazenes, but immediate medical treatment is still crucial due to the potential long-acting nature of these drugs.