(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 9 - The Italian government on Thursday vowed to fight the spread of fentanyl after the synthetic 'zombie drug' that has ravaged America was found in some batches of heroin in Italy.
    "We are ready to do deals with all countries to fight synthetic drugs, an issue that will be central to the summit with central Asian countries," Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told a press conference after a government summit.
    "We will make a commitment to combat synthetic drugs with the United States and withing the G7", which Italy currently chairs, said Tajani.
    "It is a global battle: we will certainly work with the UN and also with China.
    "It is a phenomenon that must be nipped in the bud before it has too large numbers".
    He added: "In perfect harmony with out international allies we are working to combat the use of synthetic drugs: this threat has been at the centre of the work of the G7.
    "We have established operational collaboration against the production and distribution of these drugs.
    "This work is being carried forward in close liaison with Cabinet Secretary Alberto Mantovano and the interior ministry; we are also working with the USA, there have been more than one meetings with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has thanked Italy for its commitment.
    "Our embassy in Washington is working on other coordinated actions.
    "We have set up an information campaign as ministry.
    "And the issue will at the centre of my meetings with Asuian countries".
    Sabrina Rossi Strano, head of Italy's forensic toxicologists, told the summit that fentanyly had been found in four drug-linked autopsies last year and in one case it was the primary cause of death.
    Cabinet Secretary Mantovano told the conference that the dark web, especially Chinese sites, was the main entry way for fentanyl in Italy, which had recently been found in some cut doses of heroin.
    "Our first impression is that greater attention stemming from the work we have begun is bringing out a phenomenon that in Italy is not having the devastating consequences that are being registered in the United States but which nonetheless exists, as shown by the cases recorded at Perugia, Piacenza, and Gioia Tauro".
    Health Minister Orazio Schillaci said "it is important to be ready for an increase in the diffusion of this drug". (ANSA).