The Colombo Plan Secretariat

The Colombo Plan Public Health Alerts

The Colombo Plan releases timely public health alerts as part of a broader effort to raise the alarm on newly, emerging lethal synthetic drugs, complex drug mixtures, unknown substances, and dangerous drug/toxic adulterant combinations in the global drug supply, in collaboration with the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE). These alerts are designed to raise awareness about the dynamic composition and dangers of substances proliferating the illicit market, help mitigate harm to users and improve public health interventions. By providing crucial information to communities, The Colombo Plan aims to ensure that individuals and organisations are equipped to respond to these health risks and promote safer environments worldwide.

The Colombo Plan

Public Health Alerts Latest Update

Carfentanil in Counterfeit Tablets and Powders in the United States
Carfentanil is the most potent opioid yet seen in the illicit drug market, and its presence is a significant public health threat causing respiratory depression and death.
 
Selected seizures from the U.S. Southwest border were submitted to CFSRE for qualitative and quantitative testing. This snapshot highlights an atypical cluster of counterfeit “M30” tablets and powders containing carfentanil, an ultra-potent synthetic opioid, sometimes present without fentanyl. Findings underscore escalating variability in the illicit supply and the need for heightened clinical, laboratory, and public-safety preparedness.