White-brown powder containing metonitazene3 May 2025VICHeroin Ketamine Nitazenes OpioidsA white-brown powder containing the potent opioid ‘metonitazene’ may be sold as ketamine or heroin. Metonitazene is a potent synthetic opioid Opioids are central nervous system depressants that produce effects including pain relief, sedation and respiratory depression (where breathing slows or stops). Respiratory depression often appears more quickly with potent synthetic opioids (PSOs), increasing the risk of life-threatening overdose. Metonitazene is a PSO. ItsRead notification
Heroin sold as cocaine and methamphetamine in Melbourne28 Mar 2025VICAmphetamines Cocaine Heroin Opioids StimulantsHeroin is an opioid that can produce life-threatening toxic effects – especially ifyou don’t usually use opioids. Two people have recently required emergency care because they experienced heroin overdose after using what they thought was cocaine or methamphetamine. Specialised blood tests showed evidence of heroin as well as the intended drugs. This means heroin may be mixed into cocaine or methamphetamine (‘adulteration’)Read notification
Multiple heroin overdoses following use of cocaine21 Nov 2024NSWCocaine Heroin Opioids StimulantsFive people were recently admitted to hospital with heroin overdose after using what they believed to be cocaine in Sydney Know the risks Effects to look out for Unexpected drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, loss of consciousness, slow breathing/snoring, and skin turning blue/grey after using a stimulant (for example cocaine, methamphetamine, or MDMA). Getting help If you or your friends see theRead notification
Cocaine found in heroin sample8 Nov 2024ACTCocaine Heroin Opioids StimulantsAn 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 thanRead notification
Four heroin overdoses following use of cocaine13 Sep 2024NSWCocaine Heroin Opioids StimulantsTwo people have died and another two admitted to hospital with heroin overdose after using what they believed to be cocaine in Sydney. Know the risks Effects to look out for Unexpected drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, loss of consciousness, slow breathing/snoring, and skin turning blue/grey after using a stimulant (for example cocaine, methamphetamine, or MDMA). Getting help If you or your friends seeRead notification
Heroin may contain nitazenes (potent synthetic opioids)24 Apr 2024NSWHeroin Nitazenes OpioidsNitazenes have been found in drug samples likely related to a large increase in opioid overdoses in the Penrith area in the past month. Know the risks Effects to look out for Getting help If you or your friends see the warning signs of overdose:Seek help immediately from your nearest emergency department or call Triple Zero (000). You won’t getRead notification