Author: Gideon Warhaft

  • High dose MDMA (ecstasy) tablets have been found in NSW – purple-grey ‘Punisher’ tablets

    Warning The purple -grey ‘Punisher’ skull design tablets contain 197mg of MDMA.This is around twice the average amount usually contained in MDMA tablets circulating in NSW. Please note: Tablet appearance is not a reliable indicator of drug contents Know the risks Effects to look out for If you or others experience these symptoms after taking…

  • Fake diazepam tablets found in NSW

    ​Counterfeit (fake) diazepam from illicit sources has been found to contain other drugs (bromazolam, paracetamol and caffeine) ​     ​ Photos of some of the counterfeit diazepam found in NSW. These fake tablets look like the Australian registered diazepam brand ‘Antenex’, with off-white tablets marked “DM | 5″ with “G” on the reverse. ​These fake…

  • Nitazenes causing severe opioid overdoses in NSW

    Four people have been hospitalised across Sydney with severe opioid overdose caused by nitazenes. People who thought they were taking etazene were taking a more potent nitazene (protonitazepyne*) and a potent novel benzodiazepine (bromazolam). Another potent nitazene (protonitazene) is suspected to have been present in either cocaine or ketamine. *also known as N-pyrrolidino protonitazene Know…

  • High dose MDMA (ecstasy) tablets have recently been found in NSW – grey irregular-shaped tablets with ‘LION’ text

    Warning The grey irregular-shaped tablets have an imprint of ‘LION’ text on one side. They contain 175mg of MDMAThis is around twice the amount commonly in MDMA tablets circulating in NSW Please note: Tablet appearance is not a reliable indicator of drug contents Know the risks Effects to look out for If you or others…

  • Hospitalisations after consuming Uncle Frog’s Mushroom Gummies

    Public Warning Statement Section 12 A of the Public Health ActI Kerry Chant, Chief Health Officer, being of the view that there is a risk to the health or safety of the public or a sector of the public, make the following public statement identifying and giving warnings or information about the risk. Since April…

  • Cocaine adulterated with protonitazene

    A white powder sold in Melbourne as cocaine contains the potent opioid in ‘protonitazene’. Protonitazene is a novel synthetic opioid that can produce life-threatening toxic effects in very small amounts Opioids are central nervous system depressants, typically producing a range of effects including pain relief, sedation and respiratory depression (dangerously slow breathing). Respiratory depression often…

  • Protonitazene contaminated oxycodone

    The South Australian Toxicology and Toxinology Service and the Emerging Drug Network of Australia has notified SA Health of protonitazene overdose occurring in patients using illicitly sourced oxycodone tablets. There is concern that protonitazene is now present in illicit oxycodone tablets in the community. The risk of overdose and death is significant for the opiate…

  • High dose MDMA (ecstasy) tablets have recently been found in NSW – red irregular-shaped tablets with ‘anarchy’ symbol imprint

    Warning The red irregular-shaped tablets have an imprint of the ‘anarchy’ symbol on each side.They contain 151mg of MDMA.This is a higher dose than usually expected. Please note: Tablet appearance is not a reliable indicator of drug contents Know the risks Effects to look out for If you or others experience these symptoms after taking…

  • Four heroin overdoses following use of cocaine

    Two 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…

  • High dose MDMA (ecstasy) tablets have recently been found in NSW – purple shield-shaped tablets

    The purple shield-shaped tablets contain 150mg of MDMA. This is a higher dose than usually expected.​​​​ Please note: Tablet appearance is not a reliable indicator of drug contents Know the risks Effects to look out for If you or others experience these symptoms after taking MDMA, get help immediately. Getting Help If you or your…