13 Aug NPS Frontline Alert: Emerging Substances
NASHVILLE, TN. (August 13, 2025) – To stay current with the rapidly changing landscape of new and emerging drugs, Aegis has committed to bi-annual NPS test menu updates to include the tier one and tier two recommendations established collaboratively by the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) and the Society of Forensic Toxicologist (SOFT) NPS Committee.
Since implementation of our previous test update in June 2025, we have identified 6 new substances not previously detected in our laboratory.
Details on Findings for Substances Added to NPS Testing in June 2025
(Total samples tested with positive findings: 447)
Findings reflect reported results from samples received for testing between 6/2/2025-8/1/2025 and reported as of 8/4/2025.
Samples may be positive for more than one substance.
Emerging Threat Spotlight: Rising Detection of Phenazolam and Desalkylgidazepam
About Phenazolam and Desalkylgidazepam
- Phenazolam and Desalkylgidazepam are two designer benzodiazepines that were first reported as detected in the United States in 2022.1,2
- As of August 2025, neither drug is explicitly indicated as a controlled substance in the United States.
- When taken, designer benzodiazepines can have significant adverse effects, including overdose and withdrawals, due to their unpredictable potency and
ability to depress the central nervous system. - While bromazolam continues to be the predominant designer benzodiazepine detected in the United States, our data indicates that both phenazolam and
desalkygidazepam detection are on the rise within our population.
References:
1. https://www.cfsre.org/nps-discovery/public-alerts/ortho-methylfentanyl-proliferating-acrossnorth-
america-as-newest-synthetic-opioid-identified-in-fatal-drug-overdoses#:~:text=ortho%2DMet
hylfentanyl%20is%20an%20active,e.g.%2C%20para%2Dfluorofentanyl).
2. https://www.cfsre.org/nps-discovery/public-alerts/ortho-methylfentanyl-proliferating-acrossnorth-
america-as-newest-synthetic-opioid-identified-in-fatal-drug-overdoses#:~:text=ortho%2DMet
hylfentanyl%20is%20an%20active,e.g.%2C%20para%2Dfluorofentanyl).
For real-time findings of definitive testing results, please visit our NPS Insights Dashboard
