China Expands Regulation on Nitazenes and New Psychoactive Substances

In a recent development, China has decided to classify all nitazenes as controlled substances, along with 12 additional new psychoactive substances, aiming to combat the escalating issue of synthetic drug use. Nitazenes, known for being highly potent synthetic opioids, pose significant risks, particularly because they can lead to serious respiratory issues, thus making them more hazardous than traditional opioids.

The announcement was made by the Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission and will be implemented starting July 1. This regulation is part of a broader strategy, as China had already regulated 46 new psychoactive substances last year, which included some varieties of nitazenes. According to Shan Yehua, the deputy director of the commission, the recent decision comes after discovering new substitute substances that are still being misused despite prior regulations.

Shan highlighted that the ongoing challenge of controlling new psychoactive substances is a global issue that necessitates international cooperation. China's regulatory approach has included comprehensive measures such as scheduling entire classes of drugs, an effort underscored by their previous actions in regulating all fentanyl-related substances in 2019 and synthetic cannabinoids in 2021. Shan expressed China's readiness to provide insights and solutions for tackling the challenges posed by these drugs.

Despite China's stringent counternarcotics policies, which have led to a drug abuse rate of less than 0.06 percent among its vast population, tensions have arisen with the United States, which has imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, citing concerns over fentanyl. Chinese officials have described this approach as a form of "typical bullying," which they believe has damaged trust and dialogue between the two nations regarding drug control.

Wei Xiaojun, head of the narcotics control bureau, emphasized that China's stringent measures have helped keep drug abuse rates low, especially when compared to the more than 10 percent rate in the United States. He criticized the US government for its failures in managing drug demand and urged it to recognize and support China's efforts in drug control.