Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin.
This substance, produced illegally, is available on the market in various forms, including liquid and powder. Fentanyl and its analogues, often more potent than fentanyl itself, have caused numerous poisonings and deaths in various parts of the world.
Italy is therefore carefully monitoring the evolution of the threat of synthetic drugs and is fully committed to combating their production, trade, including online demand, also within international coordination initiatives.
Although there is currently no synthetic drug emergency in our country, the Italian Government has indicated the fight against fentanyl as a priority and it has adopted a strategy, officially presented on 12 March 2024, aimed at preventing the danger of the improper use of fentanyl and synthetic opioids.
Many governmental bodies participate to the implementation of the strategy, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which included the topic of synthetic drugs on the agenda of the G7 Foreign Ministers, the G7 Rome Lyon Group dedicated to the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime and to promote ever-increasing international cooperation in the main relevant international fora, such as the Global Coalition against the Threats from Synthetic Drugs, the United Nations and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
The topic of the threat relating to the spread of synthetic drugs was discussed in the framework of the Italian G7 Presidency at the G7 Foreign Ministers Ministerial held in Capri on of 16-19 A2024.
Italy will continue to play an active role within the competent multilateral fora, with particular reference to the Global Coalition against threats from synthetic drugs, the United Nations and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
Furthermore, since December 2022 Italy has assumed the presidency of the Pompidou Group – Council of Europe Group for International Cooperation on Drugs and Addiction.
The objective of the prevention activities implemented is to intercept and prevent the access of fentanyl and its analogues to Italy and its spread throughout the national territory, with work coordinated by the Department for Anti-Drug Policies which involved both the actors daily involved in activities to prevent and combat the spread of illegal substances in Italy and those who could be involved in the event of a possible emergency.
