Street Drug Alert: Fentanyl/ADB-BUTINACA Mixture
Street Drug Alert: Fentanyl/ADB-BUTINACA Mixture
The following alert was put out by MADDS in Massachusetts:
Synthetic Cannabinoid “ADB-BUTINACA" aka "ADB-BINACA" detected in Heroin/Fentanyl
Samples containing ADB-BUTINACA were detected across three jurisdictions in Massachusetts (Boston, Revere & Lawrence) from April 2021 to August 2021. The samples were sold as dope/heroin/fentanyl or Xanax bars. Nearly all contained fentanyl and 4-fluorofentanyl, a potent fentanyl analogue. ADB-BUTINACA is manufactured in clandestine laboratories and is not cut or packaged in a standard fashion. Potency varies widely for the end user.
Identifying ADB-BUTINACA
ADB-BUTINACA typically appears as a yellow powder and readily blends into other illicit street drugs.
• ADB-BUTINACA has been found in powders, pills, and drug residues.
• Synthetic cannabinoids like ADB-BUTINACA are usually sprayed onto plant material and smoked. In these cases, they were sold as street dope and people were injecting them. They can also be vaped or consumed orally.
Health Effects
Severe symptoms have been reported from synthetic cannabinoid exposure: seizures, acute kidney injury, heart attack, pulmonary edema, stroke, delirium, psychosis, rapid loss of consciousness, vomiting, and multiple organ failure.
• ADB-BUTINACA has resulted in multiple severe poisonings and death. Mixing synthetic cannabinoids with any drugs, particularly opioids or benzodiazepines, puts people at a higher risk of overdose.
Editor's Comments
Putting ADB-BUTINACA in fentanyl creates a dangerous combination for the user. Although this is a regional trend, it is one worth noting. Many substances are being mixed with fentanyl and vice-versa. To put it simply, no one uses just one drug anymore. Poly drug use is a common trend that won't go away and we should just make note of it.