Author: Gideon Warhaft

  • Fake oxycodone tablets containing a strong nitazene opioid

    CheQpoint, a state-funded drug checking service has detected a nitazene in counterfeit oxycodone tablets. The site where the detection was made is Bowen Hills, Brisbane. The counterfeit tablets are round, blue, and bear M 30 markings. Nitazenes are a group of very strong opioids that work like heroin or fentanyl and can produce life-threatening toxicity…

  • Multiple high dose MDMA pills

    Detected 24 October 2024 Purple pill: pop smoke press Detected 1 November 2024 Blue pill: minion wearing face mask press Detected 1 November 2024 Blue pill: minion wearing face mask press Detected 14 November 2024 Black/grey pill: grim reaper press Detected 14 November 2024 Pink pill: Moncler press What does this mean? A common dose…

  • Multiple heroin overdoses following use of cocaine

    ​Five people were recently 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 If you…

  • Methylmethaqualone found in ‘methaqualone’ sample

    A clear capsule containing white powder expected to contain methaqualone (MQ), was found to contain methylmethaqualone (MMQ). What does this mean? MQ and MMQ are both quinazolone sedative hypnotics. MMQ is an analogue of the more common MQ. There are no legitimate pharmaceutical products in the Australian market that contain either MQ or MMQ, and…

  • 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…