!!**DRUG ALERT**!! (Melbourne/Naarm, Victoria, and VIC wide)

!!**COCAINE adulterated with opioid PROTONITAZENE**!!

A white powder sold as cocaine in Melbourne has been found to contain the potent synthetic opioid 'protonitazene'.

There have been recent serious harms in Melbourne/Naarm associated with a 'white powder' sold as COCAINE that contained the potent opioid PROTONITAZENE.

The product appears to produce strong adverse effects such as loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, and life-threatening hypoxia. (lack of oxygen in your blood) Protonitazene is faster acting and is much stronger (100x) than heroin.

It is important for everyone- REGARDLESS of the substance you are planning to take-

to CARRY NALOXONE.

**CARRY iT ON YOU!!- not keep in a cupboard at home or your glove box in the car.

It could mean the difference between life and death for someone.

Naloxone is a FREE, easy-to-use, easy to get medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose – it is safe to use even if you are not sure whether someone has taken opioids.

HRVic does FREE naloxone administration training EVERY 1st of the month.

Naloxone can be accessed at HRVic's NSP and at participating pharmacies, other needle and syringe programs and from the medically supervised injecting centre.

You can find an approved naloxone provider on the Take Home Naloxone program webpage. (https://www.health.vic.gov.au/.../victorias-take-home...)

Protonitazene is one of the many NITAZENES that have been circulating throughout Australia over the past couple of years.

Read more about the types of Nitazenes and their effects in the latest WHACK magazine OUT NOW at your local NSP. Read the Nitazenes substance specific article here:

If you are an HRVic Member and have not yet received a copy in the mail, email us at info@hrvic.org.au to UPDATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP.

If you have any questions or want more info visit the Dept of Health alert : https://www.health.vic.gov.au/.../cocaine-adulterated...

or HRVic's Overdose page on our website: www.hrvic.org.au/dope