Australians who are taking nitazenes, a lethal opioid hundreds of times more potent than heroin, have been warned they are gambling with their lives.

Nitazenes are a group of synthetic opioids, similar to fentanyl, that are made up of several different types of drugs including protonitazene and metonitazene.

The drug is usually laced in other substances including MDMA, ketamine, cocaine and methamphetamine, leaving those who consume it unaware they’re at risk.

Users can remain mobile but in a warped mental state, giving the so-called ‘zombielands’ their name.

The drug has ravaged the US and Australian Border Force detected 64 imports of nitazenes between January 2023 and September 2024.

It’s believed most of the drugs were brought into the country through international mail from countries including Canada, the UK and Hong Kong. 

‘If you choose to take it, you are gambling with your life,’ Australian Federal Police’s (AFP) acting assistant commissioner Paula Hudson told news.com.au on Tuesday. 

‘Those who consume counterfeit pharmaceuticals have no idea what they are putting in their body and the potential health impacts they could face.’

Nitazenes are a group of synthetic opioids, similar to fentanyl that cause terrible effects

Nitazenes are very addictive and can turn people into zombies

The opioids are thought to be so potent that authorities are concerned for frontline workers, such as nurses, doctors, and law enforcement officers.

Acting assistant commissioner Hudson said those workers could be exposed to dangerous health impacts while handling substances or treating people who consume them.

Variants of the opioid have been traced across the country over the past year, including in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT.

Victoria’s Health Department warned on Saturday about variant ‘metonitazene’ which two Melbournians had been exposed to when using a powder sold as ketamine. 

An international study led by researchers from the University of Queensland revealed in March two highly potent nitazene variants were found in Australian wastewater.

‘The levels we found in Australia were significantly higher than those in the United States which is quite concerning,’ Dr Richard Bade from the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences said.

He said the Australian results did not correlate with any other data sources which could meant the detected drugs were a result direct disposal, not consumption.

‘We are leaning more towards direct disposal, but it still meant nitazenes were in Australia,’ he said. 

The opioids are so potent authorities are concerned for frontline workers, like law enforcement, who could be exposed to dangerous health impacts while handling the drugs

AFP has warned that nitazenes have been sold in a variety of forms, including powders, tablets, nasal sprays, and vape liquids.

They can also be marketed and sold as non-opioid substances like cocaine, MDMA, GHB, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals. 

If someone shows signs of an opioid overdose, they are advised to call Triple Zero and start CPR immediately.

The medication naloxone is available from registered pharmacies which can reverse an opioid overdose.