Sen. Widen hears local officials on detection devices, urges federal help to beat new synthetic opioid threats

Senator Widen convened a briefing with local law enforcement, public-health officials and treatment providers to discuss early-warning detection for an emerging class of synthetic opioids — variously referred to during the meeting as “nitazines,” “nidazines,” or similar spellings — and urged federal support for field-deployable testing equipment.

Widen opened the session by calling the new class of compounds a major threat and saying the response must balance “firm punishment for drug dealers and compassionate treatment for those who are suffering from addiction.” He asked participants for practical steps federal and local partners can take to avoid repeating mistakes made during the spread of fentanyl.

Chris Gibson, executive director of the Oregon-Idaho High Intensive Drug Tra (self-identified), and…