Arabic version: تسمانيا تصدر تحذيراً بعد وفاة يُشتبه في ارتباطها بجرعة زائدة من أفيون اصطناعي

According to ABC News, Tasmanian health authorities have issued a public warning following an overdose death involving drugs possibly laced with a strong opioid. The Department of Health said the person who died, who has not been identified, may not have known about the suspected contamination.

Acting Department of Health Secretary Dinesh Arya said the case was Tasmania’s first known detection of a novel synthetic opioid from the U-class. He said U-class opioids were not regularly detected in Australia and described the substance as dangerous, with limited information available about how such drugs affect individuals.

Authorities said illicit drugs can contain unexpected substances with effects different from those anticipated by the person taking them. Possible consequences include organ damage, unconsciousness and death. Tasmanians were urged to recognise signs of opioid overdose, including slow, irregular or stopped breathing, reduced consciousness, unresponsiveness, pinpoint pupils, and blue or grey lips or fingertips.

Anyone witnessing those symptoms after drug use should call Triple Zero (000) immediately or seek urgent medical attention. The Poisons Information Line is available 24 hours a day on 13 11 26 for concerns about an overdose or unexpected substance effects.

The department also alerted health professionals and other stakeholders, encouraging the use of naloxone, which Dr Arya said can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose and save a life. Burnet Institute senior research fellow Amanda Roxburgh said novel synthetic opioids can be unpredictable in potency, and that overdose and death can occur within minutes of consumption.