Italy Issues National Alert on Fentanyl Following Street Preparation Contamination
breaking latest news – Italy has issued a national alert on Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is about 100 times more potent than morphine, after a street preparation containing the substance was detected in Perugia. Fentanyl and its analogues, which are up to a thousand times more potent than morphine, are commonly used as cutting agents for heroin in the illicit drug market.
According to officials, Fentanyl can be produced in illegal kitchen laboratories, making it more potent and spreading it at a lower price. However, the substance is also 100 times more toxic than morphine, making it difficult to reverse overdoses with naloxone, the drug typically used to intervene in opioid overdoses.
The national alert, coordinated by the Department of Anti-drug Policies, warns that Fentanyl can cause severe poisoning or death. The alert was issued on March 12th by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, and all police forces and the Central Anti-Drug Services Directorate are currently on high alert.
Authorities are conducting investigations to determine the extent of the contamination and whether it is limited to a specific area or widespread. The judiciary has also been alerted to authorize the analysis of street preparations for Fentanyl.
The alert serves as a reminder to the public and healthcare professionals about the dangers of Fentanyl and the risks associated with its use in illicit drug preparations. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.