Could Heroin Be Preventing The Spread Of Fentanyl In Spain?

By Lucía Tedesco via El Planteo

Spain appears to be spared from the fentanyl crisis due to the availability of heroin in the country. This is indicated by a study led by David Pere Martínez-Oró, director of the Episteme Social research center.

"Fentanyl in Spain: Evidence, Perceptions, and Realities" reveals the key factors determining why this lethal drug has not fully penetrated Spanish society. "As long as there is heroin, fentanyl will lack a market and demand," Martínez-Oró stated, according to 20minutos.

Per the research, Asian traffickers prefer to sell fentanyl to cartels that primarily supply the North American market. Additionally, the prohibition of its manufacture in China since May 2019 and international efforts to regulate this substance have contributed to its global decline.

Heroin Keeps Fentanyl At Bay In Spain

During the report presentation, Dr. Joan Ramón Villalbí, the government's delegate for the National Drug Plan, provided some approximate data: out of every thousand drug-related deaths recorded last year in Spain, only twenty had traces of fentanyl.

Fortunately, the European country has programs and resources dedicated to treating drug addiction, especially with methadone and buprenorphine. However, the report highlighted a concerning issue: the rise of nitazenes.

Are There Drugs More Dangerous Than Fentanyl?

"We have focused too much on fentanyl, but it is methamphetamine that currently represents the greatest threat in the drug realm," emphasized the study's author.

Nitazenes are synthetic opioids from Afghanistan. For now, they are not a threat to Spain due to their high price. Nevertheless, they should not be overlooked despite the existence of specialized resources and programs.

This article is from an external unpaid contributor. It does not represent Benzinga's reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.