synthetic opioids

UNODC Current NPS Threats

Report

12 December 2025

The UNODC Early Warning Advisory highlights a continued global expansion of new psychoactive substances (NPS), with nearly 1,400 substances reported worldwide. In 2024 alone, a record number of substances were identified, including over 100...

GISA raises alarm over danger of synthetic drug abuse

News

24 September 2024

Nigeria is facing a growing crisis with synthetic drugs, with stakeholders warning of devastating consequences if urgent actions are not taken.

From Left: Pharmacist Moses Awolola,Director , Pharmaceutical Inspectorate Unit , Lagos State Ministry of Health, ; Mrs Akiola Grace, Asst Commander general of Narcotics, NDLEA; Dr. Martin Agwogie Executive Director , GISA and ACG Archie-Abia Ibinabo, Deputy Director, Directorate of Operations and General Investigation,NDLEA.

Synthetic Opioids: Navigating a Changing Landscape in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

Guide

This 35-minute module focuses on how primary care providers can navigate the changing landscape of opioid use disorder in relation to synthetic opioids.

Fentanyl DrugFacts

Guide

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a prescription drug that is also made and used illegally. Like morphine, it is a medicine that is typically used to treat patients...

Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids Drug Overdose Deaths

Website

1 May 2018

A infographic resource from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) exploring the drug related death statistics relating to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids reported in the United States. With nearly 50% of opioid related deaths...

Trends in Deaths Involving Heroin and Synthetic Opioids Excluding Methadone, and Law Enforcement Drug Product Reports

Scientific article

1 September 2017

Summary What is already known about this topic? Opioid overdose deaths in the United States have been increasing since 1999, initially driven by prescription opioid misuse and more recently by heroin and other illicit opioid use. What is...