‘No safe dose’: Warning as killer drug lobs

Australian authorities have sounded the alarm after detections of a deadly synthetic opioid with “no safe dosage” have increased at the border.

On Sunday, the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force issued a joint public warning over concerns the illicit drug market could be contaminated with Nitazenes.

Nitazenes are a new class of drug similar to fentanyl, which causes tens of thousands of deaths in the US each year, but can be up to 50 times stronger.

AFP Commander Paula Hudson noted an increasing number of attempted imports of the drug seized at the border.

In October alone, 22 postal packages were found to contain a total of 742 tablets of the drug. Prior to this, the ABF had only detected two shipments.

“Nitazene can be presented in a variety of forms, including powders, tablets, nasal sprays and even vape liquids,” Commander Hudson said. “They are often marketed and sold as cocaine, heroin, MDMA and counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

“Nitazenes were never approved for any therapeutic purpose due to their adverse effects and high risk of overdose due to potencies similar to or greater than fentanyl.

“We are warning the community that there is no such thing as a safe dosage when it comes to this drug … the risk you are taking is your own life.”

NSW Poisons Information Centre medical director Darren Roberts said Nitazenes may be more likely to impair breathing than other opioids: “It’s important people recognise the signs of an opioid overdose early and know how to respond. Taking the appropriate action early can save a life.”