An urgent warning has been issued for Melburnians as white powder marketed as cocaine is spiked with a deadly ingredient.Protonitazene, specifically, has a potency over 100 times that of heroin.
Nitzazenes have been detected in drugs across Australia, unbeknownst to the individual consuming it, as it is mixed in with MDMA, ketamine, cocaine and other non-opioid drugs – posing a risk of opioid overdose.The Department of Health has urged caution after the deadly opioid was detected in white powder being sold as cocaine.
A forensic toxicologist holds a nitazene powder sample. Picture: Joe Lamberti for The Washington Post via Getty Images Drug users are encouraged to call an ambulance if they begin to experience signs of opioid overdose including breathing slowly and reduced consciousness, and are reminded that ambulance officers do not have to involve the police.
"We don't know what has caused their death, that is a possibility, and that is something we think may be the case, but again we've got to keep an open mind to this," he said.