Recent reports from overseas have depicted concerning public health issues related to the emergence of potent substances.
Australian law enforcement agencies now indicate a potential domestic threat from importing similar compounds. This development necessitates heightened awareness and preventative measures to safeguard community well-being.
If you’ve seen the confronting images coming out of some major US cities—people slumped on sidewalks, barely conscious, their skin tinged blue—you might have wondered: could that ever happen here?
According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the answer is a worrying ‘yes’. A new wave of super-strength synthetic opioids, known as nitazenes, is making its way into Australia, and authorities are sounding the alarm.
What are nitazenes—and why are they so dangerous?
Nitazenes are a class of synthetic opioids developed initially in the 1950s for pain relief, but never approved for medical use due to their extreme potency.
In recent years, illicit drug manufacturers have revived these compounds, producing them in clandestine labs and selling them as counterfeit prescription pills, powders, nasal sprays, and even vape liquids.
What makes nitazenes so frightening is their strength. Some variants are up to 20 times more potent than fentanyl, itself already notorious for causing thousands of overdose deaths worldwide.
Even a tiny amount can be fatal, and users often have no idea they’re taking it, especially when it’s disguised as legitimate medication like oxycodone.
How are nitazenes entering Australia?
The AFP and Australian Border Force (ABF) have intercepted several shipments of nitazenes at our borders since January 2024, mostly arriving via international mail from countries such as Canada, the UK, and Hong Kong.
These drugs are often hidden in packages labelled as legitimate pharmaceuticals, making them difficult to detect.
So far, there’s no evidence that nitazenes are being manufactured within Australia, but authorities are concerned about the growing number of detections in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the ACT.
The drugs are turning up not just in counterfeit pills, but also mixed into other illicit substances like heroin, cocaine, and ketamine.
What are the health risks?
The effects of nitazene overdose are severe and unpredictable. Users can lose consciousness, experience dangerously slow or erratic heart rates, stop breathing, and develop a bluish-purple skin tone—a sign of oxygen deprivation. In many cases, overdose can be fatal within minutes.
Frontline workers, including paramedics, nurses, and police, are also at risk. Even handling these substances or treating someone who has taken them can lead to accidental exposure, with potentially life-threatening consequences.
NSW Ambulance Senior Paramedic Specialist Marty Nichols warns that nitazenes are now appearing more frequently in a range of illicit drugs and counterfeit painkillers.
‘People should think twice about taking any substance where they are not sure what is contained in it. With medication that is not obtained from a pharmacy or health care practitioner, it is near impossible to know what is present.’
Overdose symptoms often mimic those of heroin, but because nitazenes are so potent, standard treatments may not always work.
Is there an antidote?
There is some good news: naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, is effective against nitazenes in many cases.
Naloxone is available to the public and can be carried by individuals, as well as by healthcare professionals.
However, because nitazenes are often mixed with other drugs, naloxone may only partially reverse the effects, and additional medical intervention may be needed.
How can you protect yourself and your loved ones?
Never take medication unless it’s prescribed and dispensed by a registered health professional. Counterfeit pills can look identical to the real thing, but may contain deadly substances.
Be wary of any drugs purchased online or from unofficial sources. If you’re not sure what’s in it, don’t take it.
If you or someone you know uses opioids, consider carrying naloxone. It’s available from many pharmacies and can save lives in an emergency.
Talk to your family and friends about the risks. Open conversations can help prevent accidental overdoses.
What are the authorities doing about it?
The AFP is working closely with the ABF and international law enforcement partners to intercept shipments and prosecute those responsible for importing and distributing nitazenes.
They’ve also issued a stern warning to criminal syndicates: ‘The AFP is committed to protecting the community and will identify and prosecute you to the full extent of the law,’ said Acting Assistant Commissioner Paula Hudson.
‘The AFP will continue to work alongside our partners at the ABF, as well as our international law enforcement partners, to combat nitazenes in Australia.’
Why is this a concern for older Australians?
While much of the media focus is on younger people and recreational drug use, older Australians are not immune.
Many Australians take prescription painkillers for chronic conditions, and the risk of accidentally receiving counterfeit medication is real.
If you or someone you know relies on prescription opioids, always source them from a trusted pharmacy and be alert to any changes in appearance, packaging, or effects.
The US experience: a warning for Australia
In the US, nitazenes and other synthetic opioids have devastated communities, particularly in cities like San Francisco and Philadelphia.
Scenes of people in a ‘zombie-like’ state have become all too common, overwhelming emergency services and leaving families shattered.
Australia has a chance to avoid a similar crisis—but only if we stay informed and vigilant.
Have you or someone you know been affected by counterfeit medication or opioid misuse? What steps do you take to stay safe? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below—your story could help others stay protected.
Stay safe, stay informed, and remember: when it comes to your health, it’s always better to be cautious than sorry.
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