A Southern California couple is trying to call attention to the dangers of a powerful, synthetic opioid that took the life of their son—a drug they had never heard of until tragedy struck.
Bryce Jacquet, 22, of Stevenson Ranch, was found lifeless in his car outside his home in April 2024, becoming a victim of nitazene—a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 40 times stronger than fentanyl. The family had just returned from a family cruise.
His parents, Cindy and Andrew, told KTLA that Bryce believed he was taking Xanax, but instead, the pill was laced with nitazene.
“He was lifeless in his car … That moment stopped right there. Everything changed forever,” said Cindy Jacquet, Bryce’s mother.
“I’m absolutely positive there’s more kids that have died from it,” said Andrew Jacquet, Bryce’s father.
Nitazenes are a group of synthetic opioids that have emerged as a new threat in the illicit drug epidemic. Initially studied as an alternative to morphine, they are not approved for medical use due to their high risk of overdose and death.
“What we’re seeing are local drug traffickers that are ordering the chemical directly from chemical companies and pharmaceutical companies in China and internationally through the dark web, and they are adding it to the supply chain in their local areas,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark.
Clark said nitazenes are being added to local drug supplies, often mixed with counterfeit pills or other illicit substances like cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine.
The danger of nitazenes is compounded by the fact that Narcan, a common overdose reversal drug, isn’t always effective against them, and multiple doses may be required. Also, nitazenes are often undetected in routine death investigations unless specifically tested for.
Nitazene-related deaths have spiked in states like Tennessee and Texas. Grey McCallister, who lost her 22-year-old son Lucci to nitazenes, reported multiple overdoses in her Houston suburb within a short period.
California has not yet reported a significant surge in cases, but agents warn that nitazines are beginning to appear in the state. A bipartisan bill has been introduced to combat the spread of nitazines by closing loopholes used by drug traffickers.
The Jacquets’ case marks the first nitazine-related federal prosecution in California, with the defendant pleading guilty to distributing protonitazine resulting in an overdose death.
Bryce’s parents hope their son’s tragic death will expose the growing threat.
“I want his life to make a difference so somebody doesn’t have to lose theirs,” Cindy said.
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