Sweden Reports Significant Decline in Nitazener-Related Deaths Amid Ongoing Crisis
Sweden sees a notable decrease in Nitazener-related deaths due to proactive law enforcement measures.
Key Points
- • Nitazener deaths in Sweden have decreased from 30 in 2024 to only a few cases in 2025.
- • Sweden's proactive policing and forensic measures resulted in a significant reduction of Nitazener access.
- • The opioid is still available on the darknet despite enforcement efforts.
- • Total drug poisoning deaths in Sweden have fallen from 815 in 2022 to 663 in 2024.
Amidst rising concerns over the synthetic opioid Nitazener, Sweden has made notable strides in mitigating fatalities linked to this potent substance. In the past 18 months, Nitazener has been responsible for hundreds of deaths across Europe, particularly in the UK where over 400 fatalities have been reported. However, Sweden’s proactive measures appear to have significantly contained the rising toll, with recent statistics showing deaths from Nitazener decreasing sharply since 2024. Robert Kronstrand, chief toxicologist at Rättsmedicinalverket (the Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine), stated that although the nation saw an increase in Nitazener-related deaths until 2024, fatalities have declined, with only four cases reported this year in which Nitazener was implicated.
The dangers of Nitazener are underscored by its potential to induce severe respiratory depression, akin to fentanyl and heroin. Despite its extreme potency, with even a milligram of its variant Metonitazen posing serious health risks, Swedish law enforcement has implemented stringent actions to combat its proliferation. Following a stark warning in the fall of 2024, authorities shut down websites selling Nitazener, effectively curtailing accessibility, though it remains purchasable on the darknet.
Statistics reveal a gradual decrease in Nitazener-related fatalities: from 9 in 2022 to 30 in 2024, illustrating the impact of these enforcement efforts. Concurrently, total poisoning deaths from drugs in Sweden have also decreased, from 815 in 2022 to 663 in 2024. Moving forward, continued vigilance from law enforcement and public health officials will be crucial to further combat the opioid crisis linked to Nitazener.