Overview
- Missouri public safety officials released a list of 26 of 37 participating schools where a voluntary wastewater program has detected nitazenes since mid-January 2026.
- Nitazenes are synthetic opioids that can be 5 to 10 times stronger than fentanyl and have been found in counterfeit pills, powders, vape liquids, and unregulated cannabis products.
- Health agencies say routine drug screens often miss nitazenes, which makes it harder for doctors, schools, and families to know when the drugs are present.
- Overdoses tied to nitazenes may require multiple doses of naloxone, and DHSS leaders urge people to keep Narcan on hand and learn to use it.
- State data show 14 Missouri overdose deaths in 2024 involved nitazenes, more than triple the total from 2019 through 2023 combined.