Local high schools work with health agencies following nitazene discovery in wastewater
BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)
Local and state health agencies are focusing on education and prevention in Mid-Missouri schools after evidence of the opioid nitazene was found during a volunteer wastewater study.
According to a release from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the state's Department of Public Safety analyzed the sewage, or wastewater, of the schools 37 schools in the state during a volunteer wastewater monitoring program since January. They found 26 positive tests.
According to Austin Krohn with Boone County Public Health and Human Services, nitazene was created in the 1950's but was never cleared for medical use due to its strength. The DHSS claims the drug is five-to-10 times stronger than fentanyl.
Several Mid-Missouri schools, including Boonville High School, Boonville Alternate, Hallsville High School, and Owensville High School also reported positives.
The tests do not identify who has taken nitazene or where it was used. Both the Boone County Public Health and Human Services and Missouri State Highway Patrol reported instances of the drug being cut in illicit substances, as well as vape juice.
"There's zero quality control, we have no idea what you're getting when people go out and use these illicit drugs," Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Scott White said.
White added that nitazene's presence may be due to recent crackdowns on fentanyl.
"What we've learned to that, that it's harder for the cartels or the people that are manufacturing these illicit drugs to get those precursors, and that's one of the reasons possibly why this is now emerging," White said.
In emails provided by the school districts to ABC 17 News, parents were notified of the program's results.
According to the email, Hallsville High School began testing in January, with nitazene being found on Jan. 13. Results were then presented to the district in mid-February.
"The district is coordinating with the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Department, Boone County Office of Emergency Management, and state and local law enforcement partners to ensure students and staff have access to appropriate resources and support. The district is also reviewing our emergency response procedures, including ensuring naloxone (Narcan) is available on campus and that staff are prepared to respond quickly to any health or safety concern," according to an email from Hallsville Superintendent Tyler Walker to families in the district.
Boonville began testing in Feburary and a positive sample was found on Feb. 10.
"Our focus is on using this information proactively — supporting student safety through education, awareness, and connection to resources. The district coordinates with state and local law enforcement partners to ensure prevention resources are available to students and staff. Cooper County Public Health Center is also a valuable community resource for families. Naloxone (Narcan) is accessible, and staff are trained to respond to any student health concern," according to the email from Boonville Superintendent
Mark Harvey to families in the district.
"We kind of educated them on what nitazene is," Krohn said. "This is coming from somewhere, someone in Hallsville is doing this or selling this."
Krohn added the department provided more than 20 boxes of naloxone to the district and hosted a community health event.
"They are free to come, get more contact us whenever they need or want more," Krohn said. "We educated the community at large about the dangers of opioids, including fentanyl and nitazene, and how to use naloxone, how to administer it, when to administer it, what to do if you witness someone experiencing an overdose."
Krohn added multiple doses may be needed when treating an overdose due to nitazene's strength.
"Naloxone is the best bet and naloxone is still effective against nitazene," Krohn said. "It may take more than one dose, so you want to administer that through the nasal cavity with the plunger and then still always call 911."
According to DHSS, nitazenes were used in 14 overdose deaths around the state in 2024.
Naloxone can be found at local and state health departments, including outside of the Boone County Public Health and Human Services building.
