Rep. Taylor's bill aims to improve response to Nitazene overdoses
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Taylor (OH-02) has introduced the Nitazene Response Act, which will provide nationwide guidance to improve life-saving nitazene overdose response efforts.
“Being 10 to 40 times more potent than fentanyl, nitazenes have slipped relatively unnoticed into Ohio and are endangering our communities," said Congressman Taylor. “We must get dangerous drugs like these off our streets and ensure first responders have the most up-to-date information about nitazenes to inform their life-saving overdose response efforts.”
The Nitazene Response Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue evidence-based clinical guidelines for responding to nitazene overdoses. This guidance would contain a description of best practices for emergency departments, hospitals, and rural volunteer emergency medical services systems responding to suspected nitazene overdoses.
Background:
Nitazenes are a class of synthetic opioids that can be 10 to 40 times stronger than fentanyl and hundreds of times more potent than heroin. Initially developed in the 1950s as an experimental alternative to morphine, nitazenes were ultimately determined to be too powerful and dangerous for medical use. Since 2019, nitazenes have emerged in the U.S. drug supply and are growing in prevalence, both across the nation and the globe. Cheap and powerful nitazenes have been increasingly discovered mixed with other opioids, stimulants, or benzodiazepines in the U.S. to extend the supply of a drug.
Reporting by state and local forensic drug laboratories of the National Forensic Laboratory Information System showed a 5x increase in nitazenes across the U.S. since 2020. From 2020 to 2023, the number of yearly nitazene deaths in Ohio rose from 3 to 77. Most discovered nitazenes have been shipped to the U.S. from adversaries like China, making the emerging nitazene crisis both a public health and national security concern.
When an individual is having a nitazene-involved overdose, their symptoms present similarly to other types of opioid overdoses. However, because nitazenes are so strong, sometimes it can take several rounds of naloxone and prolonged reversal efforts to revive someone. The Nitazene Response Act will provide needed clarity for responders to ultimately save lives.
Congressman Dave Taylor represents Ohio’s Second Congressional District, which includes Clermont, Clinton, Pike, Adams, Brown, Highland, Ross, Scioto, Pickaway, Hocking, Vinton, Jackson, Lawrence, Gallia, and Meigs counties, as well as part of Fayette County. Taylor serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Agriculture Committee. Prior to serving in Congress, Taylor worked as an assistant prosecutor for Clermont County before joining his family’s concrete business, where he ultimately served as President. Please visit taylor.house.gov for more information.
••• Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 28 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service – and want it to continue – it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.