Urgent alert issued over drug which caused fatal overdose in Irish prison
The drug has been linked to a number of recent overdoses in Irish prisons, one of which was fatal
The Irish Prison Service (IPS ) has issued a nationwide drug alert after use of the drug nitazene resulted in a fatal overdose at an unnamed prison.
The urgent drug alert was issued to all prisons following analysis conducted by the HSE National Drug Treatment Centre Laboratory which confirmed the presence of a 'nitazene-type substance' associated with a number of recent overdoses in Irish prisons. One of these overdoses was fatal, the IPS said.
The IPS said it is working closely with the HSE in response to the recent detection of Nitazene.
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"Prison healthcare teams have adequate stocks of naloxone should clinical intervention be required," a spokesperson for the IPS said in a statement.
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects of opiates like heroin, and is available free from Addiction Services.
The IPS spokesperson added: "Extra vigilance is being taken across the prison estate and the Irish Prison Service has commenced an information campaign for prisoners around the dangers of consuming non prescribed illegal drugs.
“There is a free confidential telephone line (1800 855 717) and text line (086 180 2449) which is operational.
“Prisoners, visitors, staff or members of the public with information on the trafficking of drugs into our prisons can pass on that information in the strictest confidence.”
Nitazenes are potent forms of synthetic opioids. They were developed by researchers in the 1950s as an alternative to morphine, but because of their high potential for overdose were never released.
A characteristic of nitazenes is their high potency (e.g., hundreds to thousands fold more potent than morphine and other opioids and tenfold more potent than fentanyl) and the drug has been connected to a number of overdose deaths worldwide.
Nitazenes are sold as a white powder, crystalline solid, or brown/yellow powder. They have also been found in tablets (fake oxycodone), heroin, ketamine and synthetic cannabinoids.
Earlier this year, health authorities issued an urgent alert to inmates in Irish prisons after the drug was linked to a series of overdoses behind bars.
In a statement issued in March, the HSE said: “The HSE is extending its current red alert to Irish prison settings following a small number of overdoses.
“Analysis conducted by HSE National Drug Treatment Centre Laboratory has confirmed the presence of a Nitazene type substance, called N-Pyrrolidinoprotonitazene, associated with overdoses in Irish prisons.
“The HSE advises that there is extra risk at this time and strongly recommends those in prison avoid new types of drugs or new batches being sold.
“Nitazenes are strong synthetic opioids that can lead to serious overdoses, hospitalisations and drug-related death.
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