The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has uncovered plans by some unscrupulous elements to introduce a lethal synthetic opioid, Fentanyl, which is 100 times stronger than Tramadol into the Nigerian market.
The agency warned that the illicit manufactured drug is capable of causing mass casualty among the youth population being targeted by the cartels.
According to the anti-narcotics agency in a statement today says, every step must be taken to ensure that the drug which is currently responsible for over 70% overdose deaths as well as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US is not allowed to circulate in Nigeria because of its lethality and the current drug abuse prevalence of 14.4% in the country.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi says, Fentanyl, which according to the CDC, is 80 times as potent as morphine and 100 times more potent than heroin, adding that, those planning to introduce this to the market are packaging it either in liquid or powder form and or with misleading labels to target the youth population. This they may also mix with other prescription drugs.
The illegally manufactured fentanyl in its liquid form can come in nasal sprays, eye drops, or small candies.
He advised parents and other stakeholders to be vigilant, alert and warn their young ones against attempting experimenting with this illicit substance.
The Symptoms for fentanyl exposure or overdose he listed to include pinpoint pupils, falling asleep or losing consciousness, slow and shallow breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, limp body, and pale, blue, or cold skin.
The Agency however assured the public that all necessary assets have been deployed to monitor the cartels involved in this latest threat to public health with a view to frustrating their criminal plot and make them face the wrath of the law.
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