Meeting held at Palazzo Chigi on national plan to prevent misuse of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids

A meeting was held at Palazzo Chigi today to provide an update on implementation of the national plan to prevent the misuse of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, which was presented by the Government on 12 March 2024. The meeting, chaired by Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano, was attended by Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio, Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci, Minister of Labour and Social Policies Marina Calderone, Undersecretary of State for Information and Publishing Alberto Barachini, and representatives from all bodies and ministries involved: Defence; Disabilities; Economy and Finance; Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Family, Birth Rate and Equal Opportunities; Infrastructure and Transport; Interior; Sport and Youth; University and Research.

More than a year and a half on from when the national plan was first presented, there are currently no emergency situations linked to the spread of these substances in Italy. However, Undersecretary of State Mantovano underlined that this situation must not lead to the guard being let down and must rather strengthen the determination to continue prevention and control efforts with rigour and responsibility.

The national plan was designed to be a single, dynamic tool based on an integrated and multidisciplinary strategy, with the collaboration of several ministries and bodies. Undersecretary of State Mantovano highlighted that the plan's success lies in institutional synergy and the ability to work together and overcome all forms of compartmentalisation, encouraging a constant sharing of data, information and best practices.

During the meeting, all the ministries and bodies present outlined the work they have carried out to implement the plan, with the following activities being of particular note:
• the acquisition of data from selected web channels to monitor the unlawful marketing of fentanyl and precursors, paying particular attention to online markets on the dark web, with the use of cryptocurrencies and a preference for Telegram;
• the monitoring and identification of new cutting agents for opiates, such as xylazine and nitazenes, and investigations into the possible use of artificial intelligence in the production of new synthetic opioids;
• the active involvement of poison control centres and forensic toxicology laboratories in the training of healthcare professionals and in expanding fentanyl screening, with approximately 20 healthcare facilities equipped for this purpose;
• inspection activities carried out by the Ministry of Health and operations by the Carabinieri's 'NAS' [anti-adulteration and health units], which have led to 15 people being reported in several investigations for being involved in forging medical prescriptions for the unlawful procurement of fentanyl-based medicines and other opioids, with seizures and precautionary measures in several provinces;
• prevention campaigns in schools, refresher courses for police forces, and a strengthening of analytical and chemical screening capabilities for the identification of synthetic opioids, thanks also to international cooperation and new analysis kits being provided to the Carabinieri's 'RIS' [Scientific Investigation Group] in Rome and to laboratories throughout Italy, in the hope that targeted analysis will be conducted during investigations to detect the use of narcotic substances.

Undersecretary of State Alfredo Mantovano stressed that "at the moment, our territory is currently not involved in major trafficking, and the fentanyl phenomenon mainly regards the misuse of prescriptions and the illegal acquisition of medicines. Experience from elsewhere in the world teaches us how crucial it is to anticipate the problem through prevention, which is the essential core of national intervention and requires an ongoing commitment, continuous updates and rapid adaptation to developments in this phenomenon".

[Courtesy translation]