Brasília, January 29, 2025 – Nitazenes, an emerging class of new synthetic opioids (NSOs) that have gained global attention due to their high potency, potential for abuse, and associated risks, were the focus of a first-of-its-kind study presented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The publication, titled “Nitazenos: Caracterização e Presença no Brasil”, was launched on January 24 in Brasília (DF).
The study is part of a broader effort to monitor new psychoactive substances (NPS) on a global scale. As of November 2024, 147 countries and territories had reported more than 1,250 new substances to the UNODC Early Warning Advisory. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 217 substances had been reported by December 2020, highlighting the complexity and diversity of these substances. While Brazil is not experiencing an opioid epidemic comparable to the United States or Europe, the country has seen an increase in seizures and circulation of these substances. According to the study, between July 2022 and April 2023, 140 samples seized by São Paulo's Civil Police were analyzed, and 133 (95%) contained nitazenes. Additionally, the first official seizure of the substance in Brazil occurred at Viracopos Airport in Campinas/SP at the end of 2023.
According to Elena Abbati, UNODC Representative in Brazil, the study is a crucial tool for anticipating challenges and strengthening evidence-based public policies. "The spread of nitazenes in countries with robust monitoring structures highlights the sophistication of production and trafficking networks, which transcend borders and rapidly adapt to control measures. In this context, UNODC believes that sharing evidence-based knowledge is one of the most effective tools for tackling global challenges."
As the custodian of the three UN drug control conventions, UNODC conducts research and analysis that provide technical input for improving evidence-based public policies. The Office also supports governments in developing effective strategies to mitigate the impact of illicit drugs on society. Additionally, UNODC collaborates in strengthening prevention programs, professional training, and community-based social development, promoting integrated and internationally recognized approaches to reducing the risks associated with psychoactive substance use.
Brazil has a relatively low circulation and diversity of illicit opioids compared to other countries, but seizures of these substances have been increasing. The most common form of the substance in Brazil is Metonitazene, usually found in dried and fragmented plant material, suggesting inhalation (smoking) as the primary method of consumption. In addition to the Federal Police, three states have already identified nitazenes: São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Santa Catarina. The most recent seizure took place in Mogi das Cruzes/SP in December 2024, where 280 g of powdered material and 41.3 kg of herbs containing nitazenes were identified.
On the international stage, nitazenes have been detected in several countries since 2019. The nations that have reported the most new molecules to UNODC include the United States, Canada, Latvia, Estonia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Germany. The study highlights a global trend of nitazene expansion, with a predominant presence in Europe and North America. The continuous emergence of these molecules suggests their rapid international spread, requiring greater attention from authorities.
Nitazenes are derivatives of 2-benzylbenzimidazole and were initially synthesized in the 1950s for potential analgesic use. However, they were never commercialized as medications due to their high abuse potential and risk of dependence. Their emergence in the illicit drug market was first recorded in 2019. These substances are hundreds or even thousands of times more potent than morphine and other opioids, significantly increasing the risks of overdose and fatalities. Among the main adverse effects are dizziness, nausea, disorientation, and seizures, in addition to a high risk of central nervous system and respiratory depression, potential cardiac arrest, and a strong potential for dependence.
According to Marta Machado, head of the National Secretariat on Drug Policy and Asset Management (SENAD), the threat posed by these substances requires constant vigilance. "Although there are no indications of an opioid use epidemic in Brazil, the issue is concerning due to their potency and associated dangers. It is crucial to maintain continuous and proactive monitoring regarding the illicit commercialization and use of these substances to prevent a potential escalation of the situation."
The study highlights that Brazil has already implemented a series of actions to monitor and respond to the spread of new psychoactive substances. Among these initiatives is the creation of the Early Warning System (EWS) on Drugs, an essential mechanism for identifying and reporting new substances. Additionally, the country has invested in restructuring the Brazilian Observatory on Drug Information (OBID), enhancing data monitoring and expanding knowledge bases on the subject.
UNODC has also partnered with SENAD to strengthen its Early Warning System, supported through UNODC projects that focus on new synthetic drugs. These efforts aim to expand monitoring capacity, improve international information exchange, and bolster responses to new synthetic substances, including nitazenes.
Another key aspect is the training of forensic experts across different regions of Brazil, which has been crucial in improving substance identification and strengthening the justice system’s response. The modernization of forensic laboratories in Brazilian states has also been a strategic step to ensure greater accuracy in forensic analyses and facilitate the detection of new substances that may pose risks to public health.
The publication "Nitazenes: Characterization and Presence in Brazil" reinforces the importance of continuous monitoring and evidence-based policymaking to prevent and mitigate the risks associated with these substances in Brazil. Given the global trend of nitazene expansion, the study recommends coordinated and integrated actions among government agencies, international organizations, and civil society to enhance surveillance, strengthen detection networks, and mitigate public health risks.
The Center for Studies on Drugs and Community Social Development (CDESC) was established to support public policies under the National Secretariat on Drug Policy and Asset Management (SENAD) of Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP). CDESC integrates innovative strategies aimed at promoting sustainable development. One of its primary activities is conducting research and studies that provide high-quality data on drugs and community social development. Based on this information, the center works to influence strategic, human-centered, and inclusive decision-making processes aligned with societal needs.