1 month ago
An urgent informing has been issued complete a caller opioid supplier pursuing a spate of overdoses.
Nitazenes person been recovered successful supplier samples related to a cluster of astir 20 overdoses reported successful nan Penrith area, successful Sydney's west, complete nan past month.
The synthetic super-strength opioid is akin to Fentanyl, which has ravaged parts of nan US, starring to addicts strewn crossed nan streets aliases staggering astir successful a drugged-up haze successful cities for illustration New York, Sacramento, Philadelphia, and Portland.
But nan supplier - manufactured successful illicit Chinese labs and smuggled overseas - is moreover much vulnerable than Fentanyl and hundreds of times much potent than heroin, making users acold much apt for users to overdose.
An urgent informing has been issued complete a caller opioid supplier pursuing a spate of overdoses. Nitazenes person been recovered successful supplier samples related to a cluster of astir 20 overdoses reported successful nan Penrith area, successful Sydney 's west, complete nan past month
Synthetic super-strength opioids for illustration Fentanyl and now Nitazenes person been blamed for creating 'zombieland' scenes successful respective awesome US cities. Pictured, passed retired Fentanyl users connected nan streets of Sacramento, California
What are nitazenes?
Nitazenes are a synthetic opioid made successful clandestine Chinese labs.
They person been blamed for fuelling an 'unusual' summation successful overdoses and deaths complete nan past fewer months.
They are mixed into heroin and has besides been detected in oxycodone pills and Xanax powders, according to charities.
Nitazenes were primitively developed arsenic painkillers by Swiss pharma institution Ciba successful nan 1950s but they ne'er reached nan market.
Available successful powder, tablet and liquid form, they tin beryllium injected, swallowed, placed nether nan tongue, snorted and vaped.
The narcotics trigger feelings of symptom relief, euphoria, relaxation and sleepiness. But they tin besides lead to sweating, itching and nausea.
'Nitazenes are highly potent,' NSW Health Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist, Dr Hester Wilson said successful a nationalist wellness statement.
'It is important that group recognise nan signs of an opioid overdose early and cognize really to respond.
'Opioids specified arsenic heroin tin origin pin-point pupils, drowsiness, nonaccomplishment of consciousness, slowed breathing/snoring and tegument turning blue/grey and tin beryllium life-threatening.
'One of nan dangers of illicit supplier proviso is nan spot and contents of nan constituent you are getting is chartless and tin beryllium inconsistent.
'In ray of this detection, group who usage narcotics specified arsenic heroin should transportation naloxone.'
Users of synthetic opioids often dishonesty successful nan streets mislaid successful nan throes of constituent use. Pictured: a man suspected of being nether nan power of narcotics successful Seattle
The synthetic super-strength opioids are akin to Fentanyl, which has ravaged parts of nan US
Synthetic opioid users tin stay mobile but successful a warped intelligence state, giving nan alleged 'zombielands' their name. This man, believed to person taken drugs, was pictured in San Francisco past year
NSW Health notes that naloxone tin temporarily reverse an opioid overdose but it has to beryllium delivered 'rapidly' arsenic nan supplier is much apt to trigger respiratory arrest.
Nitazenes tin past longer successful nan assemblage than heroin and naloxone, truthful higher and repeated doses of naloxone are often required arsenic good arsenic infirmary treatment.
The narcotics triggers feelings of symptom relief, euphoria, relaxation and sleepiness but arsenic good arsenic sweating, itching and nausea.
Anyone who uses naloxone is urged to telephone Triple Zero for an ambulance instantly aft usage for travel up care.
WHERE TO GET HELP?
Take location naloxone is disposable arsenic an easy-to-use nasal spray aliases injection from immoderate pharmacies and different wellness services.
Naloxone is disposable from nan NUAA via message successful a discreet package. Order via their online shop or telephone (02) 9171 6650.
Anyone who has concerns astir adverse effects from narcotics should interaction nan NSW Poisons Information Centre connected 13 11 26, astatine immoderate clip 24/7.
For support and accusation connected supplier and intoxicant problems, interaction nan Alcohol and Drug Information Service connected 1800 250 015.
