Increased hospitalisations and intensive care unit admissions following the use of heroin on the Central Coast has prompted NSW Health to issue a danger warning about a life-threatening mix of the illicit drug.
Testing of the heroin found it contained a potent opioid called nitazene and Brisbane Water Police say the analysis of seized drugs confirms that nitazene is still around.
NSW Health says that the use of this heroin mix can be life-threatening.
“The combination of heroin with other strong opioids is more likely to cause overdose,” NSW Health warns.
“Nitazenes can be as strong or stronger than fentanyl and cause slow breathing.
“You are at increased risk of overdose if you mix different drugs – alcohol, benzos and opioids are very dangerous to combine.
“Overdose symptoms include slow breathing/snoring, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and skin turning blue or grey.”
NSW Health says to use naloxone if you have it as it can temporarily reverse an overdose from heroin and nitazenes – but do not delay calling Triple Zero.
People at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose or who might witness an overdose can get naloxone for free without a prescription from some NSW community pharmacies, NSW Health needle and syringe programs, opioid treatment services and the NSW Users and AIDS Association.
Visit Your Room – Naloxone for participating sites and more information on take-home naloxone.
More free and confidential advice is available at Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1800 250 015 at any time 24/7 or the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for information on adverse effects from drugs.
Sue Murray
If you have friends or relatives at risk of overdose but aren’t comfortable with needles yourself you can also get Naloxone in an effective nasal spray called ‘Nyxoid’ from most of the services mentioned in the article.