An off-white clumpy powder expected to be heroin was found to be a near-equal mix of heroin and cocaine.

What does this mean? While the expectation was heroin, we note that NSW Health released a public drug warning on 13 Sep, ‘Four heroin overdoses following use of cocaine’, and this sample’s packaging is (arguably) more common for cocaine rather than heroin. If the expectation was cocaine, rather than heroin, the risk would be a heroin overdose. Please also be aware that this combination comes with greater risk than either drug on its own (e.g. there is increased risk of heart strain). It is also difficult to predict the effects of polydrug combinations. We encourage you to be aware of the signs of a potential heroin or cocaine overdose.

Effects and signs of a heroin overdose present as an opioid overdose – lowered/loss of consciousness, breathing slowly, tiny/pinpoint pupils, discoulred lips or nails, cold or clammy skin, choking/coughing/gurgling or snorting sounds. Effects and signs of a cocaine overdose may include a fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, seizure and loss of consciousness.

Reducing the harm

Test your stuff! Always assume your drugs may not be what you expect. Come and see us at CanTEST for testing in Canberra.

Start low, go slow. Never use alone – get a trusted person to check on you. Experiencing delayed, adverse or unexpected effects? Don’t take more.

Carry Naloxone – it can reverse an opioid overdose. While it won’t reverse a stimulant overdose, it will not cause harm to administer if someone is showing signs of an overdose and you’re unsure if they have consumed opioids. Never use alone and keep naloxone on hand.

Search ‘Take Home Naloxone‘ to get free naloxone anywhere in Australia. You can get Nyxoid nasal spray naloxone for free from CanTEST.

Be alert for signs of an overdose – knowing that the signs can vary depending on the type of overdose being experienced.

Think someone has overdosed? Call 000 for an ambulance immediately.