Newsbreak: State Leaders Warn of Rapidly Spreading and Deadly ‘Frankenstein’ Opioids, With Potency Exceeding Fentanyl

State leaders are warning about the emergence of dangerous “Frankenstein” opioids that are more potent than fentanyl and spreading rapidly across the United States. Ashley Moody, who serves as the Attorney General of Florida, is advocating for a bill that would classify “nitazene compounds” as a Schedule I controlled substance in the state. These compounds, also known as Frankenstein opioids, have no acceptable medical use and are categorized as having a high potential for abuse. Moody’s office said that compounds such as isotonitazene, known as “ISO,” have been found to be “significantly more potent than fentanyl,” as reported by Fox News on February 25, 2026.

Nitazene compounds have often been found in combination with other drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, making a deadly combination. The first time Florida recorded incidences of nitazenes was in 2020, and since then, the drugs have been found across the nation. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said that these opioids would have a “devastating” effect on Virginians if swift action is not taken. The Vigor Times reported on February 26, 2023, that Miyares is spearheading a coalition of 21 state attorneys general that is pressuring the Biden administration to classify drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations.” Additionally, Miyares is promoting the “One Pill Can Kill” initiative throughout the state.

The Drug Enforcement Administratio” (DEA) alerted residents in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area in particular about the introduction of ISO. Although nitazene incidents are “still relatively low,” the DEA warned that this drug can and has caused deadly overdoses in unsuspecting victims. According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on February 2, 2023, the number of overdose deaths in the U.S. reached 108,000, a record.