The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered plans by some drug dealers to introduce a lethal synthetic opioid, Fentanyl, which is 100 times stronger than Tramadol, into the Nigerian market, just as it warned that the illicitly manufactured drug is capable of causing mass casualty among the youth population being targeted by the cartels.
The anti-narcotics agency in a statement by its Director of Medua and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said that every step must be taken to ensure that the drug is not allowed to circulate in Nigeria because of its lethal effect.
It put the current drug abuse prevalence at 14.4 percent in the country.
The drug is said to be responsible for over 70 percent overdose deaths, as well as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States of America.
“We are not unaware of desperate efforts by some drug cartels to introduce to the Nigerian market, Fentanyl, which according to the CDC, is 80 times as potent as morphine and 100 times more potent than heroin.
“This they plan to do either in liquid or powder form and/or with misleading labels to target our 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.
“As a result, parents and other stakeholders are advised to be vigilant, alert and warn their young ones against attempting experimenting with this illicit substance, the Agency said.
Symptoms for Fentanyl exposure and/or overdose 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 NDLEA assured the public that all necessary assets had been deployed to monitor the cartels involved in the latest threat to public health, with a view to frustrating their criminal plot and make them face the wrath of the law.
