August 28th 2024.
This week, there has been a surge of calls for action regarding a dangerous synthetic opioid that has been making its way into the drug trade. This opioid is said to be up to 500 times stronger than heroin and has already caused multiple fatalities.
A coalition of organizations, including the Health Services Union, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Unharm, the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies, NSW Users and AIDS Association, UNSW's drug police modelling program, and crossbench MPs Alex Greenwich and Jeremy Buckingham, have come together to bring attention to this pressing issue. They are urging for preparations to be made in anticipation of a potential overdose crisis that could strike at any moment.
The culprit behind these alarming numbers is a synthetic drug known as nitazenes. This deadly substance has already caused dozens of overdoses in NSW this year alone. Shockingly, just a tiny amount of two milligrams can be enough to be fatal. The drug has been found mixed in with other substances, such as MDMA, cocaine, ketamine, heroin, counterfeit pharmaceuticals, and even vapes.
NSW Health has already issued multiple alerts about the presence of this drug in Australia, but the health advocates group believes more needs to be done. They are calling for a range of initiatives to tackle this issue, including increasing the distribution of the life-saving overdose-reversal medication naloxone and establishing pill testing facilities.
Furthermore, they are urging the Minns government to launch a public awareness campaign to educate people about the dangers of nitazenes and how to avoid them. According to Unharm CEO Dr Will Tregoninc, the community is not prepared for this crisis, as many are not even aware that this drug exists.
Dr Tregoninc warns that NSW could soon become the next victim of the global opioid crisis. His sentiments are echoed by RACGP addiction medicine spokesperson Dr Marguerite Tracy, who fully supports Unharm's call to action. She emphasizes the need for a health-based harm minimization approach, which includes engaging people in treatment and management, as it has been proven to save lives.
Nitazenes were initially developed as a painkiller in the 1950s but were never approved for human use. They are cheaper and easier to produce than heroin, making them an attractive option for drug dealers. These drugs can take on many forms, including powders, tablets, and vape liquids.
The increase in the presence of nitazenes in heroin around the world is attributed to the Taliban's crackdown on poppy production in Afghanistan. In the UK, data shows that nitazenes are causing almost one death a day, with a sharp rise since they were first detected in illicit drugs in 2021.
The seriousness of this issue cannot be ignored, and the public needs to be made aware. Stay informed and join our WhatsApp channel for all the latest breaking news, celebrity updates, and sports news. No comments, no algorithm, and your private details remain private. Let's all work together to address this pressing matter before it's too late.
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