Deadly illegal drug reaches another Australian territory. Here's how to protect yourself from this invisible danger
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Drug prevention in Australia has been facing several concerns over the past few years.
In a concerning development, the Northern Territory (NT) just became the latest battleground in Australia's ongoing fight against a looming health crisis.
For the first time, health workers in the NT have detected the presence of deadly synthetic opioids.
These opioids have been linked to numerous fatalities across the country.
The discovery coincided with Darwin's largest music festival, Bassinthegrass, scheduled to happen in the next few weeks.
The presence of opioids prompted urgent warnings from health authorities across the territory.
The synthetic opioids, nitazenes, are drugs that could be 500 times more potent compared to heroin.
According to NT Health, these substances are often disguised as tablets.
'Drugs seized in the NT have been found to contain nitazenes. This is the first detection of this substance in the NT,' the warning states, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Since they first appeared in 2021, nitazenes have been implicated in 17 deaths nationwide.
Police have been grappling with the increasing presence of these synthetic opioids over time.
'These synthetic opioids are extremely potent and pose a serious risk of overdose and death,' Detective Superintendent Lee Morgan of the Drugs and Organised Crime division stated.
The most recent arrest related to nitazenes involved a 21-year-old man from Rapid Creek.
He was apprehended last February with a significant haul of drugs, including 500g pills containing nitazenes.
After the man's arrest, the NT police emphasised that they will continue to target the possession, supply, and use of all illicit substances.
Nitazenes could masquerade as other drugs, making them a health threat.
Australians have unwittingly encountered them in substances such as ketamine, heroin, cocaine, and GHB.
Nitazenes are also visible on counterfeit medications purchased online, such as painkillers.
These dangerous opioids have been detected in various forms, including pills, powders, nasal sprays, and vape liquids.
The threat of nitazenes has been underscored by the tragic death of Jetson Gordon, an 18-year-old Melbourne local who died from an overdose in 2022.
Gordon initially thought he bought oxycodone online.
However, the pills contained a type of nitazene far more potent than fentanyl and morphine.
Health authorities have already issued 17 alerts towards the public, warning them about different types of nitazenes.
Learn more about the threat of nitazenes here:
Source: 60 Minutes Australia/YouTube
As Australia continues to grapple with the potential surge in synthetic opioid use, experts called for increased preparedness.
These preventative measures included the extensive distribution of naloxone, an opioid-reversing medication.
Unfortunately, the NT currently has no pill testing regimes, leaving many locals, especially festival-goers, vulnerable to the hidden dangers of nitazenes.
It's crucial to stay informed about the substances you or your loved ones may come into contact with.
If you suspect someone has overdosed, seek medical help immediately.
Remember, when it comes to synthetic opioids, what you don't know can indeed hurt you—or worse, be fatal.
We urge you to discuss this issue with your family and friends and to support initiatives that promote drug safety and awareness. What do you think of this massive health update? Have you heard of similar stories about opioids in your state? Share your thoughts and any stories you may have about this issue in the comments below.
In a concerning development, the Northern Territory (NT) just became the latest battleground in Australia's ongoing fight against a looming health crisis.
For the first time, health workers in the NT have detected the presence of deadly synthetic opioids.
These opioids have been linked to numerous fatalities across the country.
The discovery coincided with Darwin's largest music festival, Bassinthegrass, scheduled to happen in the next few weeks.
The presence of opioids prompted urgent warnings from health authorities across the territory.
Nitazenes may come in tablets that look like prescription drugs. Image Credit: Alcohol and Drug Foundation
The synthetic opioids, nitazenes, are drugs that could be 500 times more potent compared to heroin.
According to NT Health, these substances are often disguised as tablets.
'Drugs seized in the NT have been found to contain nitazenes. This is the first detection of this substance in the NT,' the warning states, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Since they first appeared in 2021, nitazenes have been implicated in 17 deaths nationwide.
Police have been grappling with the increasing presence of these synthetic opioids over time.
'These synthetic opioids are extremely potent and pose a serious risk of overdose and death,' Detective Superintendent Lee Morgan of the Drugs and Organised Crime division stated.
The most recent arrest related to nitazenes involved a 21-year-old man from Rapid Creek.
He was apprehended last February with a significant haul of drugs, including 500g pills containing nitazenes.
After the man's arrest, the NT police emphasised that they will continue to target the possession, supply, and use of all illicit substances.
Nitazenes could masquerade as other drugs, making them a health threat.
Australians have unwittingly encountered them in substances such as ketamine, heroin, cocaine, and GHB.
Nitazenes are also visible on counterfeit medications purchased online, such as painkillers.
These dangerous opioids have been detected in various forms, including pills, powders, nasal sprays, and vape liquids.
The threat of nitazenes has been underscored by the tragic death of Jetson Gordon, an 18-year-old Melbourne local who died from an overdose in 2022.
Gordon initially thought he bought oxycodone online.
However, the pills contained a type of nitazene far more potent than fentanyl and morphine.
Health authorities have already issued 17 alerts towards the public, warning them about different types of nitazenes.
Learn more about the threat of nitazenes here:
Source: 60 Minutes Australia/YouTube
As Australia continues to grapple with the potential surge in synthetic opioid use, experts called for increased preparedness.
These preventative measures included the extensive distribution of naloxone, an opioid-reversing medication.
Unfortunately, the NT currently has no pill testing regimes, leaving many locals, especially festival-goers, vulnerable to the hidden dangers of nitazenes.
It's crucial to stay informed about the substances you or your loved ones may come into contact with.
If you suspect someone has overdosed, seek medical help immediately.
Remember, when it comes to synthetic opioids, what you don't know can indeed hurt you—or worse, be fatal.
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