Heroin found in cocaine products across Melbourne

Heroin is an opioid that can produce life-threatening toxic effects – especially if you don’t usually use opioids

Three people in separate incidents have recently required emergency care because they experienced heroin overdose after using what they thought was cocaine. Specialised blood tests showed evidence of heroin as well as cocaine, suggesting that heroin is likely to have been mixed into cocaine products (‘adulteration’).

Opioids are central nervous system depressants that produce effects including pain relief, sedation and respiratory depression (slowed breathing). Small amounts of opioids can cause life-threatening overdose in people who have never or rarely used opioids.

Heroin is a very different substance from cocaine, although it often appears in a similar white powdered form. Cocaine produces stimulant effects, whereas heroin produces sedative effects and can lead to life-threatening overdose. Using heroin with depressants such as alcohol, GHB or benzodiazepines (such as Xanax or Valium) increases the risk of overdose.

Know the signs of opioid overdose and carry naloxone

Signs of opioid overdose include breathing slowly and reduced consciousness (meaning someone is hard to wake up). In some cases, the person may also have tiny pupils. More information about opioid overdose symptoms can be found on the Penington Institute website.

Naloxone is an easy-to-use medication that can reverse opioid overdose – it is safe to use even if you are not sure whether someone has taken opioids. Naloxone can be accessed free of charge at participating pharmacies, needle and syringe programs, Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals, as well as the Victorian Pill Testing Service and the Medically Supervised Injecting Room. You can find where to access free naloxone on the Department of Health’s naloxone webpage.

Reduce the risk of harm

If you experience toxic drug effects, or are present when someone has an unexpected reaction, seek help immediately by calling Triple Zero (000).

All alcohol and other drug use comes with risks, so take these precautions:

• Use the Victorian Pill Testing Service to get free, confidential testing and health advice.
• Be aware that other false or contaminated drug products may circulate in Victoria, even if no specific warning has been issued about them.
• Get free naloxone and carry it with you – no matter what drugs you think you’re getting.
• Start low and go slow and make sure you’re in a safe environment with people you trust.
• Remember, even ‘pure’ drugs can produce serious side effects and death and can interact dangerously with medications/pharmaceutical drugs. Get the facts from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website.