Los Angeles, CA – A 22-year-old Stevenson Ranch man has died after unknowingly ingesting a powerful synthetic opioid, leaving his family devastated and raising alarms about the growing danger of nitazenes in California.
Victim Identified
The victim, Bryce Jacquet, 22, was discovered lifeless in his car outside his home in April 2024, just days after returning from a family cruise.
According to his parents, Cindy and Andrew Jacquet, Bryce thought he was taking Xanax, but the pill was laced with nitazene, a drug up to 40 times stronger than fentanyl.
“He was lifeless in his car … that moment stopped right there. Everything changed forever,” said Cindy.
“I’m absolutely positive there’s more kids that have died from it,” added Andrew.
What Are Nitazenes?
- Nitazenes are a group of synthetic opioids first studied as an alternative to morphine.
- They were never approved for medical use due to their extreme overdose risk.
- DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark explained that local drug traffickers are importing the chemicals from China and other countries via the dark web and mixing them into supplies of counterfeit pills, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
The Overdose Danger
- Narcan may not work effectively against nitazenes, often requiring multiple doses.
- Routine toxicology tests don’t always detect nitazenes, making them even more dangerous.
- Nitazene-related deaths have already surged in states such as Tennessee and Texas.
First Federal Prosecution in California
The Jacquets’ tragedy has led to the first nitazene-related federal prosecution in California. The defendant pleaded guilty to distributing protonitazine that resulted in an overdose death.
A Family’s Plea
Despite their grief, the Jacquets hope their son’s death raises awareness about this hidden danger.
“I want his life to make a difference so somebody doesn’t have to lose theirs,” Cindy said to KTLA.
Lawmakers Respond
A bipartisan bill has been introduced to combat nitazenes by closing loopholes exploited by traffickers. Authorities warn California could soon see a surge in these cases if immediate action isn’t taken.
What do you think? Should California strengthen its laws and awareness campaigns to protect more families from synthetic opioids like nitazenes? Share your thoughts in the comments.
