Authorities are raising concerns as a new synthetic opioid, three times more potent than fentanyl, begins to circulate. A recent fatality in Los Angeles County has brought this drug, seen as a potential substitute for fentanyl, under intense scrutiny.

The drug, called Protonitazene (Nitazene), is a synthetic opioid so powerful that it has not received approval for medical use from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Last month, a man was indicted for distributing this drug. The suspect, 21-year-old Benjamin Anthony Collins of Santa Clarita, allegedly sold Protonitazene-laced pills to a victim and promised large-scale distribution. The victim, a 22-year-old resident of Stevenson Ranch in LA County, died after consuming the pills in the front seat of a vehicle, according to federal prosecutors.

This incident marks the first criminal indictment related to Protonitazene. Prosecutors described it as a rapidly emerging fentanyl substitute with a fatality rate three times that of fentanyl. LA County Health Department's Dr. Brian Hurley told ABC7 News, “Its distribution within the community is concerning. The overdose risk is extremely high, with even small dosage differences turning from a euphoric state to a fatal one where breathing stops.”

Former DEA agent Bill Bodner emphasized that the drug is entirely illegal in the United States and has no recognized medical use. Experts report that this drug is primarily manufactured in China and shipped internationally. Dealers use it to produce pills marketed on the streets as legitimate medications.

Bodner noted that intercepting these shipments at customs is nearly impossible. “This drug is so potent that even a tiny amount is effective, meaning the incoming packages are very small and often bypass thorough customs inspections,” he explained. “A small package can yield a large batch of pills, allowing it to reach communities with little detection.”

While authorities say the drug is not yet widespread, they fear its proliferation. Enhanced regulation and enforcement on fentanyl have pushed traffickers toward alternatives like Protonitazene, which is easier to smuggle and distribute. If this trend continues, overdose fatalities might not decline but could become even more severe.

According to a report by the LA County Health Department, there were 3,092 accidental deaths from drug overdoses in the county in 2023. This figure is comparable to the 3,220 deaths in 2022 and 3,010 in 2021 but significantly higher than pre-2022 levels. For instance, in 2016, there were 1,123 deaths—a 175.3% increase over seven years.

Fentanyl was a driving factor, accounting for 64.7% of deaths in 2023, with 1,970 fatalities. This marked a 3.1% increase from the 1,910 fentanyl-related deaths in 2022.

Authorities remain vigilant but emphasize the urgent need for public awareness and robust regulatory measures to address this emerging crisis.

<Hyungseok Han>