New alert regarding the presence of fentanyl in Italy. The alarm was launched by the National Rapid Warning System for Drugs (NEWS-D), coordinated by the Department for Anti-Drug Policies (DPA). The Istituto Superiore di Sanità has confirmed that fentanyl was used as a cutting substance in a dose of heroin seized a few weeks ago in the Perugia area. This is the first case confirmed in Italy. In collaboration with Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, the national prevention plan against the improper use of Fentanyl was therefore activated which provides for the sending of an alert to all police forces and all administrations.
How the Drug Early Warning System works
The National Rapid Warning System for Drugs (NEWS-D), established in 2009 by the DPA and operationally managed with the ISS, we read in a note, operates thanks to the collaboration of the Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Services, of a network of scientific police and clinical-forensic toxicology laboratories, as well as anti-poison centers, currently being further strengthened, capable of promptly identifying across the entire national territory potentially dangerous phenomena for public health related to the appearance of new psychoactive substances and new modes of consumption of classic narcotic substances. The NEWS-D can send alert signals to the structures responsible for health protection and to the police forces, allowing the necessary political-health measures in response to emergencies and to combat traffic. The alert was issued “so that the territorial monitoring network is strengthened and attention is increased in all potentially exposed sectors”.
