May 5th 2024.
There's a substance out there that's being sold in various forms - powder, tablets, and even vape liquid - and it's incredibly dangerous. Health officials and law enforcement are becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of this synthetic opioid, known as nitazene, being brought into Australia illegally. It's even more potent than fentanyl, a well-known opioid, but it never made it to the market due to its high risk for overdose.
The Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force are worried about the sudden increase in nitazene being seized at the border, as it's a strong indication of its growing popularity and the potential for overdoses. In fact, just last April, NSW Health had to issue a public warning after a string of severe overdoses in the Penrith area, located in Sydney's west. Nitazene was found in drug samples taken from around 20 individuals who had overdosed. It's often mixed into other substances such as cocaine, heroin, and MDMA, or disguised as counterfeit pharmaceuticals, leaving users completely unaware of the deadly substance they are taking.
In one instance, 742 tablets of nitazene were seized by the AFP in October, after ABF officers detected 22 suspicious packages sent from the United Kingdom. Prior to this, the ABF had only come across nitazene twice before. In another case, a man from Western Sydney was charged with importing a variety of illicit drugs, including 97 tablets of an analogue of nitazene, which he allegedly sold online on the dark web. These drugs were cleverly concealed in items such as cookware, toy cars, and a blackjack set. Another man from the Northern Territory was also charged with importing 5 grams of metonitazene through the mail from the UK.
According to AFP Commander Paula Hudson, there was a significant increase in attempted imports of nitazene last year, and officials are expecting this trend to continue. She also warns that there is no safe dosage when it comes to this drug - taking it is a gamble with your own life. Asha Patwardhan, a commander with the ABF, shares the same concerns, stating that the detection of nitazene packages at the border is a major cause for alarm.
For anyone struggling with alcohol or other drug addiction, there is help available. The National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline offers free and confidential advice, and there are also 24/7 online counselling services and resources for those seeking treatment. It's important to remember that seeking help is always the best option when it comes to substance abuse.
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