DEA Temporarily Schedules N-desethyl isotonitazene and N-piperidinyl etonitazene
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a notice of intent for a temporary amendment concerning two perilous synthetic benzimidazole-opioid substances: N-desethyl isotonitazene and N-piperidinyl etonitazene. The emergence and abuse of these substances have posed significant risks, leading to severe health complications and a rising number of fatalities. This initiative by the DEA aims to curb the distribution and misuse of these dangerous substances, marking a step towards addressing the ongoing opioid crisis.
N-desethyl Isotonitazene
N-desethyl isotonitazene, a synthetic opioid, has rapidly emerged as a substance of abuse. Predominantly manufactured in China, it finds its way into various countries, exacerbating the opioid crisis. Its chemical structure is engineered to mimic the effects of potent opioids, rendering it a high potential for abuse and addiction. Individuals abusing N-desethyl isotonitazene experience euphoria, pain relief, and sedation, akin to other opioids. However, the peril lies in its potency and the narrow margin between a dose for desired effects and a lethal dose.
The adverse effects are severe and include respiratory depression, a common cause of opioid overdose fatalities, along with other complications like constipation, nausea, and potentially long-term dependency. The DEA’s move to temporarily schedule N-desethyl isotonitazene in Schedule I of the CSA is a proactive step aimed at curtailing its distribution and misuse, thereby mitigating the associated public health risks.
N-piperidinyl Etonitazene
Similar to N-desethyl isotonitazene, N-piperidinyl etonitazene is a synthetic benzimidazole-opioid with origins traced back to clandestine laboratories in China. The ease of its production and distribution, coupled with its potent opioid effects, makes it a significant threat. Once in the body, N-piperidinyl etonitazene acts on the opioid receptors, inducing a state of euphoria, pain relief, and profound sedation. However, the potency of this substance elevates the risk of overdose and death significantly.
The health implications are grave, with individuals facing risks of respiratory depression, cardiac complications, and other opioid-related adverse effects. The DEA’s decision to temporarily schedule N-piperidinyl etonitazene intends to mitigate the risks associated with its abuse. By placing it in Schedule I of the CSA, the DEA aims to exercise regulatory control over its handling, contributing to broader efforts in combating the opioid crisis and safeguarding public health.
Legal Authority and Background
The authority for such temporary scheduling comes from the CSA, which allows the DEA Administrator to place a substance in Schedule I temporarily to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety. The DEA notified the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding this intent, and after a review, HHS found no objections to the temporary placement of these substances in Schedule I.
Implications
Scheduling these drugs needed to be done, but it is like putting a finger in a leaking dike. With our wide open border and our reluctance to challenge China on their manufacturing and exporting of deadly drugs, new drugs will be developed and take the place of these newly scheduled drugs.
