biostudies-literatureUnknown45(1)Keller ELUniversity of South Australia<h4>Introduction</h4>A group of synthetic opioids, the nitazenes, is appearing in the illicit drug market. Monitoring these novel psychoactive substances is challenging due to constantly evolving analogues and the small amounts of these potent drugs that are consumed. This study aimed to investigate the presence of nitazenes in drug paraphernalia in South Australia using sensitive and selective analytical methods.<h4>Methods</h4>Injecting drug paraphernalia samples were collected from needle and syringe programme sites in South Australia that offer disposal services. Chemical analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify nitazenes in these samples.<h4>Results</h4>Nitazenes were detected in 16 samples from a total of 300 (5%). Two of these samples contaiDrug and alcohol reviewe70010https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12682399biostudies-literatureSearching for a Needle in a Haystack: Chemical Analysis Reveals Nitazenes Found in Drug Paraphernalia Residues.PMC12682399Longo MKeller ELWhite JMGerber CPeake BSimpson BSTrobbiani SfalseSearching for a Needle in a Haystack: Chemical Analysis Reveals Nitazenes Found in Drug Paraphernalia Residues.<h4>Introduction</h4>A group of synthetic opioids, the nitazenes, is appearing in the illicit drug market. Monitoring these novel psychoactive substances is challenging due to constantly evolving analogues and the small amounts of these potent drugs that are consumed. This study aimed to investigate the presence of nitazenes in drug paraphernalia in South Australia using sensitive and selective analytical methods.<h4>Methods</h4>Injecting drug paraphernalia samples were collected from needle and syringe programme sites in South Australia that offer disposal services. Chemical analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify nitazenes in these samples.<h4>Results</h4>Nitazenes were detected in 16 samples from a total of 300 (5%). Two of these samples contai2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-06-05T23:52:26.951Z2026-05-23T03:13:54.417ZS-EPMC126823994135383610.1111/dar.70010