Drug Alert: Overdoses from ‘cocaine’ containing opioids and large amounts of lidocaine
⚠️ DRUG ALERT ⚠️ Overdoses from ‘cocaine’ containing opioids and large amounts of lidocaine. 😱😱
NSW Health has warned that lidocaine has recently been associated with 2 deaths in NSW relating to cocaine use. Police have also analysed other seizures of cocaine and found high levels of lidocaine.
Further hospitalisations from opioid (heroin) overdose in people using cocaine have also occurred across Sydney.
~~What are the risks?~~
‘Cocaine’ containing lidocaine:
- Cocaine is commonly cut with low amounts of lidocaine (‘lignocaine’), but is now being found with high amounts.
- Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that makes an area feel numb, which may feel similar to cocaine.
- High doses of lidocaine can kill by stopping your heart beating (cardiac arrest).
- Lidocaine can also cause dizziness, jerky movements, seizures, loss of consciousness, and heart beating irregularly.
A single line of ‘cocaine’ powder containing opioids (such as heroin) can kill or cause:
- Dizziness, paleness, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, vomiting, difficulty breathing.
~~How can you get help?~~
If you see the warning signs of unexpected drug reactions or overdose:
- Call Triple Zero (000).
- Start CPR if someone is not breathing.
~~How can you protect yourself?~~
👭 Don’t use alone. Use a Zoom buddy or have someone on the phone with you. Make sure your friends know what you thought you were taking, and that they are comfortable calling an ambulance. 👭
👌🏾 If you’re using a new batch, start out with a small dose and wait to see if it feels right. Lidocaine may be difficult to notice, but may stack up after many doses. Snorting ~1000mg of lidocaine could be lethal, so if your 1g bag of 'cocaine' is mostly lidocaine, then you will use more to get the desired cocaine effect, and end up overdosing on lidocaine.👌🏾
✌🏼 Be extra careful if you’re mixing different drugs. ✌🏼
👀 Use reagent drug testing kits: https://www.nuaa.org.au/nuaa-blog/drug-testing-kits and fentanyl test strips: https://www.nuaa.org.au/nsp-equipment-1👀
🦾 Naloxone can reverse opioid overdose. Its free via NUAA's NSP, or https://yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/getting-help/Pages/Naloxone.aspx 🦾
(Call '000' even if naloxone has been used. Repeat doses may be required. Naloxone does not work for lidocaine overdose).
~~Connect with the drug-using community – We’re safer together.~~
- Stay up to date with drug alerts and peer-led harm reduction information by following NUAA & DanceWize NSW on social media.
- If you want non-judgemental support from an experienced member of the drug-using community, contact NUAA & DanceWize NSW’s PeerLine by calling 1800 644 413 or messaging us on social media.
~~Take Home Naloxone program~~
- As well as people who use opioids, people who use cocaine should also consider carrying naloxone.
- Naloxone is an easy to use, life-saving medication that reverses the effects of opioids.
- It is does not require a prescription and is free for anyone at risk of opioid overdose in NSW.
- It is available as a nasal spray or injection from some pharmacies and other health services.
- For participating locations and more information on take-home naloxone: https://yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/getting-help/Pages/Naloxone.aspx
- Call '000' even if naloxone has been administered. Repeat doses may be required.
~~Support and advice:~~
For free and confidential advice:
- Call NUAA & DanceWize NSW’s PeerLine on 1800 644 413 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) to speak to a peer or visit www.nuaa.org.au and https://www.dancewizensw.org.au for a range of resources.
- Call Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015 at any time 24/7. Start a Web Chat with an ADIS counsellor Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm.
- Call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for information on adverse effects from drugs.
- Visit Your Room for fact sheets and other resources.
~~Further updates about this drug alert will be available via:~~
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/public-drug-alerts/Pages/default.aspx