White powder being sold as cocaine in the Auckland region has been found to instead contain heroin after a sample was submitted to a drug checking clinic.
High Alert issued a warning today, saying people who consumed the powder thinking it was cocaine were at at “high risk” of experiencing serious harm, including death.
It said the powder is present in Auckland but there is no information about its prevalence in other regions.
“There is a concern this powder may continue being sold as cocaine.
“It is important to never assume that what drug you have is what it has been sold as. Misrepresentation can occur anywhere along the supply chain.”
A typical dose of heroin is much smaller than a dose of cocaine, meaning a person may inadvertently take multiple doses of heroin when using the white powder, putting them at risk.
Cocaine and heroin come from different classes of drugs and produce different effects, said Drug Information and Alerts Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Cocaine is classed as a central nervous system stimulant, whereas heroin is a potent opioid and central nervous system depressant.”
DIANZ urged users to have extreme caution for the use of white powders and drug checking is recommended to minimise the risk. A calendar of upcoming clinics can be found on The Level.
Call 111 and ask for an ambulance immediately if you or someone else has any of the below signs after taking the substance.
Tell the operator what has been taken and that it could be an opioid.
The signs of an opioid overdose include:
The person’s face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch.
Their body goes limp.
Their fingernails and/or lips have a purple or blue colour.
They start vomiting or making gurgling noises.
They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak.
Their pupils become very small.
Their breathing and/or heartbeat slows or stops.
