As if adulterating drugs with fentanyl were not enough, an industrial chemical known as bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, or BTMPS, is now appearing in illicit fentanyl across the U.S.
Originally used in plastics for UV protection, BTMPS has been detected in fentanyl samples marking a disturbing shift in the drug supply, raising alarms among health researchers.
Tens Of Thousands Potentially Exposed To BTMPS
In a recent preprint study, researchers from UCLA and other institutions found that about a quarter of drug samples sold as fentanyl contained BTMPS. This rapid integration of BTMPS into the drug supply represents one of the most abrupt shifts observed in recent times.
Tens of thousands might be affected, as BTMPS-detected fentanyl jumped from zero instances in L.A. in June to 41% by August, the Los Angeles Times reported.
UCLA assistant professor Chelsea Shover speculates that drug manufacturers might be adding BTMPS in the supply chain. This is to potentially stabilize the drugs against degradation from light or heat.
Expert Links BTMPS Surge To Failed War On Drugs
Nicolas Tentoni, from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Buenos Aires and a member of the Harm Reduction Association of Argentina (ARDA), offers a broader perspective on the issue. He attributes the rise in dangerous adulterants like BTMPS to the ongoing War on Drugs.
“The emergence of adulterants or substitutes in the illegal drug market is a direct consequence of criminalizing drug use and pushing the trade underground,” Tentoni explains to Benzinga.
"BTMPS’s toxicological profile includes blocking L-type calcium channels and inhibiting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors," Tentoni details. “Its potential to cause hemodynamic changes and cardiovascular disturbances exacerbates the already dangerous nature of adulterated fentanyl."
Testing Programs Key To Life-Saving Harm Reduction Strategies
Expanded drug-testing programs have proven effective in regions where they are available, Tentoni says. They allow users to make safer choices by identifying dangerous adulterants before consumption.
This approach, he argues, could significantly mitigate the health risks posed by these unpredictable chemical adulterants.
No Rapid Tests for BTMPS Yet, Nor Drug Policy Reform
Currently, there are no rapid test strips available to detect BTMPS as there are for fentanyl, nor is it routinely screened for by healthcare professionals, the Los Angeles Times notes.
This lack of detection means that many individuals may unknowingly experience harmful effects from this chemical, further intensifying the crisis within the illicit drug market.
As the drug landscape becomes increasingly perilous, the increased harms of prohibitionist policies demand urgent drug policy reform. In the meantime, safe supply and comprehensive harm reduction strategies become more critical than ever.
