COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC) released two public safety bulletins today alerting Ohioans of dangerous substances showing up in Ohio’s drug supply. All of these substances increase the risk of overdose and potentially fatal consequences.
The first bulletin addresses orphine analogs. Orphines are a sub-group of new synthetic opioids (NSOs) which are being encountered in seized drug samples and suspected overdose incidents across Ohio. NSOs are synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of controlled opioids such as morphine and fentanyl. NSOs are particularly dangerous because of their potency. They can disrupt breathing and impact the central nervous system, increasing the potential for an overdose.
The second bulletin warns of the synthetic veterinary sedatives medetomidine and xylazine, which are prevalent in Ohio’s drug supply. These substances are not approved for use in humans. Veterinary sedatives cause sedation and can induce life-threatening effects, which can complicate overdose response and emergency care…