The evolving situation with nitazenes in Ireland
Abstract
Predicted changes in heroin availability in Europe could herald an increase in the use of synthetic opioids with possibly profound implications for public health. In particular, nitazenes pose a credible and significant threat to health and security.
In 2023 there were three localised outbreaks of nitazenes in Europe – two of these were overdose clusters in Dublin and Cork. As a result, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has established a new ‘red alert’ team involving laboratories, emergency services and a university to respond to clusters of drug overdoses around Ireland.
