Heroin found in methamphetamine and cocaine products across Victoria1 Jul 2026VICAmphetamines Cocaine Heroin Opioids StimulantsHeroin is an opioid that can produce life-threatening toxic effects in very small amounts Death and serious harms from heroin overdose have occurred after use of cocaine and methamphetamine in Victoria. One person has died and multiple people in four separate incidents across Victoria have required emergency care because they experienced heroin overdose after using what they thought was cocaineRead notification
Vape containing potent sedative ‘etomidate’ sold in Melbourne23 Jun 2026VICDepressants EtomidateEtomidate is a powerful drug used to produce general anaesthesia Etomidate is a powerful anaesthetic drug that has been detected in a vape product sold in Melbourne. Etomidate can cause rapid onset deep sedation, confusion, impaired coordination, vomiting, loss of consciousness and dangerously slow or ineffective breathing. These effects may be life-threatening, especially if etomidate is used with alcohol, opioids,Read notification
Heroin found in cocaine products across Melbourne22 May 2026VICCocaine Heroin Opioids StimulantsHeroin is an opioid that can produce life-threatening toxic effects – especially if you don’t usually use opioids Three people in separate incidents have recently required emergency care because they experienced heroin overdose after using what they thought was cocaine. Specialised blood tests showed evidence of heroin as well as cocaine, suggesting that heroin is likely to have been mixed into cocaine products (‘adulteration’).Read notification
Multiple opioid overdoses following use of cocaine30 Mar 2026NSWCocaine Opioids StimulantsSix people recently presented to hospitals in Sydney and Western NSW with opioid overdoses after using what they thought was cocaine. Know the risks Effects to look out for Getting help If you or your friends see the warning signs of overdose: Take Home Naloxone program Support and advice For free and confidential advice:Read notification
Toxic ‘alkaloid’ poppies diverted from a regulated crop21 Feb 2026VICOpioidsAlkaloid poppies produce unpredictable, potentially life-threatening effects. A significant quantity of alkaloid poppy plant ‘heads’ (pictured), grown for the pharmaceutical industry, was recently stolen from a property in Victoria. These poppies are very different from traditional opioid poppies and contain dangerously high concentrations of thebaine and oripavine, with risk of life-threatening toxicity. They contain only tiny (‘trace’) amounts of traditional opioids like morphine and codeine. Thebaine is veryRead notification
Multiple tablets containing a high dose of MDMA (ecstasy) and multiple tablets containing a synthetic cathinone (dipentylone) in NSW2 Feb 2026NSWCathinones Empathogens MDMA/Ecstasy Stimulants[Issued 02 February, updated 04 February 2026] The risk of harm is increased when MDMA is taken in high doses or with other stimulants. Synthetic cathinones, such as dipentylone, are stimulants. The risk of serious harm is increased when taken with other stimulants. Know the risks Effects to look out for If you or others experience these symptoms, get helpRead notification