Missouri Warns of Deadly Drug Many Don’t Know They’re Taking

Health authorities in Missouri are sounding the alarm about a deadly drug ingredient that many do not realize they're taking until it's much too late.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services just shared a bulletin about a drug ingredient that I've never heard of and most don't know about. The substance is known as Nitazenes. This ingredient is most often found in counterfeit pills, powders and vapes. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued this warning:

"Nitazenes are so powerful that even a tiny amount can cause someone to stop breathing – overdoses can happen quickly and are often fatal."

What's the big deal about Nitazenes and why the warning from Missouri health authorities?

The state said "Missouri’s school wastewater testing has detected Nitazenes in many participating schools". The problem is information about this rogue ingredient is limited, but the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said that overdoses in Tennessee alone accounted for more than 90 deaths in recent years. Missouri believes it played a part in at least 14 overdoses in the state in 2024 based on the most recent data. They believe that Nitazenes are up to 5 to 10 times more lethal than even fentanyl.

What can you do in Missouri to avoid becoming a victim?

The simple answer is to avoid taking any type of counterfeit or black market medications, but the presence in wastewater makes the issue much more complicated. Awareness is the goal right now so residents in Missouri understand the dangers of taking medications or drugs from illegal sources. You might be ingesting something fatal without know it.