Kiwi’s travelling to Sydney, beware: NSW Health has issued an urgent drug alert after six people were hospitalised with opioid overdoses after reportedly using substances they believed to be cocaine.
The incidents, recorded across Sydney and Western NSW in March, have raised serious concerns about contaminated drug supplies. Of the six cases, one person required treatment in intensive care, while several of those affected were known to each other.
Testing revealed that opioids — including heroin — were present alongside cocaine in some cases, significantly increasing the risk of overdose.
Hidden Dangers in Drug Supply
Health authorities warn that illicit drugs can often contain unexpected substances, making them particularly dangerous.
Dr Darren Roberts, Medical Director of the NSW Poisons Information Centre, said people cannot rely on appearance to determine what a drug contains.
“Opioids such as heroin can be sold as or found in cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (ecstasy). You cannot always tell the difference between these drugs by appearance,” he said.
Even small amounts of opioids can be life-threatening, particularly for people who are not expecting or tolerant to them.
Recognising an Overdose
Dr Roberts urged people to be aware of the signs of an opioid overdose and to act quickly.
Symptoms can include:
- Pinpoint pupils
- Unusual drowsiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Slow or irregular breathing (including snoring sounds)
- Skin turning blue or grey
If any of these signs appear, urgent medical help is critical.
Reducing Risk
Authorities say overdose risk increases when:
- Taking higher doses or re-dosing
- Mixing substances (including alcohol, benzodiazepines, ketamine or GHB)
- Using drugs alone
- Trying a new or unfamiliar batch
Importantly, commonly used drug test strips may not detect all opioids, including heroin.
Naloxone Can Save Lives
NSW Health is also encouraging people who may be at risk to carry naloxone — a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.
Naloxone is available for free in NSW without a prescription and can be accessed through pharmacies and health services. It is provided as a nasal spray or injection and is designed for easy use in emergencies.
