☠️ Stop the nitazenes nightmare! ☠️
NSW is on the brink of an unprecedented nitazenes overdose crisis.
These potent synthetic opioids are hundreds of times stronger than heroin and they are being mixed in with all sorts of other drugs. To prevent a new wave of overdose deaths, people must be able to find out what they are really taking.
Demand Premier Chris Minns take immediate action to stop the nitazenes nightmare and commit to pill testing now.
Sign the petition demanding pill testing!
The nitazenes nightmare
Nitazenes are a family of synthetic opioids that can be 500 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than fentanyl. Just a tiny amount can cause serious overdose and death.
Nitazenes are being used to cut other drugs. They have been found in cocaine, heroin, ketamine, MDMA and more. This puts anyone who uses drugs at risk of overdose.
In the past few months, they’ve caused dozens of overdoses in NSW and thousands of overdoses and deaths around the world.
The Minns government’s criminalisation of drugs and ongoing refusal to allow pill testing makes it impossible for people to know what they’re taking.
It’s more important than ever for us to take action to look after ourselves and our communities.
Nitazenes safety FAQs
- Know the risks
Knowing nitazenes are out there and being used to cut other drugs, be extra careful if you or people you know are taking drugs.
- Don’t use drugs alone.
- Tell your friends what you think you’re taking
- Be extra careful if mixing different drugs.
- If you’re using a new batch, start small.
- Prepare to prevent an overdose
Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone is available in a very easy-to-use nasal spray and as a pre-filled injection.
You can get naloxone for free without a prescription in NSW from some pharmacies, needle and syringe programs and opioid treatment services.
Visit Your Room to find your nearest pharmacy that can give you naloxone, or order from NUAA at shop.nuaa.org.au or call (02) 9171 6650.
- Know how to spot an opioid overdose
Signs to look for if you suspect an opioid overdose:
- Pinpointed pupils.
- Difficulty speaking or walking.
- Drowsiness.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Slow breathing/snoring.
- Skin turning blue (if light-skinned) or grey (if dark-skinned).
- Get help if something goes wrong
If you think you or someone you’re with has overdosed, immediately call 000 for help.
If you have naloxone, use it, and remember it can wear off quickly so you may need multiple doses.
If someone stops breathing, administer CPR. If they are breathing put them in the recovery position – on their side with their mouth open to the ground.
Seek immediate medical attention.