Posted on 01/07/2026 10:57:27 PM PST by nickcarraway
A dangerous combination of bromazolam and fentanyl is fueling a sharp rise in overdose deaths across Oahu.
The drug, often called fake Xanax or designer Xanax, is being mixed with other substances, mostly fentanyl, to make counterfeit prescription pills.
Experts feel people experimenting, especially teens, will fall victim to the lethal combination.
Bromazolam-related deaths have hit seven fatalities on Oahu so far this year. By comparison, in all of 2024, there were zero on the island with one in Hawaii County.
“A lot of abusers and people in general take it for depression and anxiety,” said Gary Yabuta, director of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program.
Yabuta explained the drug’s dangerous appeal and effects.
“It’s something that has a different high to add to the fentanyl. It’s an antidepressant,” Yabuta said. “It magnifies the respiratory depression to the point of coma or death.”
Jeff Zuckernick, district chief at Honolulu Emergency Medical Services, said first responders are seeing the devastating effects.
“Often what happens is people who overdose on this drug are with other individuals, and it’s other individuals who recognize that this person’s in a medical crisis” and call 911, Zuckernick said.
Narcan is often administered, and while that helps with the opioids, bromazolam is not an opioid, so more care is needed.
“We’ll provide all necessary medical support, such as breathing for the patient and doing CPR,” Zuckernick said.
The patient is transported to a hospital, which is the only place the antidote can be administered.
The victims who had bromazolam in their system this year are mostly men in their 20s, with one female victim aged 54.
So far, no teens have died from the drug combination, but HIDTA’s director warns parents that fake Xanax looks like the real pills so it’s undetectable.
It is circulating on the streets and being purchased through social media sites.
“They’re ordering it online on unlawful sites,” Yabuta said. “And they just go by bromazolam or XLI 268, and that’s what they used to order it.”
In other cities on the continent, the unapproved and potent synthetic drug has killed hundreds.
Drug addicts....ugh
The article is 3 months old.
Now, wine on the other hand ...
I don’t smoke, drink or swear but I left my goddam cigarettes at the bar.
Well if you are stupid enough to ingest some “medicine” procured fromn a tatooed pierced geek on a street corner you qualify for the Darwin award.
“Overdoses”? What’s wrong with these people? Don’t they know their recommended dosage for illegal drugs?
I blame Wo Fat.
“Designer Drug Surge Linked to Record Number of Deaths in Hawaii” Aloha!
“A lot of abusers and people in general take it for depression and anxiety,”
— Sure, Jan —
I blame Lo Fat, and his wife, Fat Ho.
I blame Lo Fat, and his wife, Fat Ho.
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