ACT Policing is warning of potentially lethal illicit drugs in circulation in Canberra after attending multiple suspected drug overdoses recently.
In the past two months, 4 people have died as a result of suspected drug overdoses, including a man and a woman yesterday (Thursday, 29 August 2024) in separate incidents.
While the exact cause of the overdoses is yet to be determined, police suspect high drug purity levels or the addition of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl or nitazene, may be responsible.
These dangerous synthetic opioids carry a high risk of addiction, breathing difficulties or respiratory failure, and death.
ACT Policing Detective acting Superintendent Dave Craft said synthetic opioids have been identified in the ACT as recently as May this year.
“While police are focused on disrupting drug suppliers who deliberately cause harm and misery to our community, we want to raise awareness on this issue and encourage illicit drug users to engage in harm minimisation practices and protect themselves from these harmful substances currently in circulation,” Det. A/Supt. Craft said.
