Current drug alerts and warnings

Hi-Q Jan-June2026 Report Download Hi-Q Summary Report | Overdoses & Unexpected Effects! We’ve received multiple reports of unexpected and concerning effects from drugs sold as methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin, with some people describing opioid-like, ketamine-like or unusual psychedelic effects. Most concerning, all people who overdosed on opioids were experienced users who said the effects were … Continued

Hi-Q Report July 2026 download In July, 6 HI-Q reports were received through Hi-Q. Overdose reports — 3 • 1 fatal overdose involving a combination of heroin and Lyrica • 2 non-fatal heroin overdoses In one report, the person described the heroin as stronger than usual. Their partner became unresponsive and stopped breathing. Naloxone was … Continued

Hi-Q August 2026 Report download AUGUST HI-Q SNAPSHOT | Queensland  In August, 9 HI-Q reports were received through QuIVAA.  Overdose reports — 9   3 fatal overdoses, 1 involving a combination of heroin and Lyrica, 1 involving substance believed to be cocaine, 1 involving heroin 6 non-fatal overdoses, 1 involving methamphetamine, 2 involving cocaine, 2 involving … Continued

Hi-Q September Report download SEPTEMBER HI-Q SNAPSHOT | Queensland  = 12 reports Overdose reports — 2   1 fatal overdose involving heroin 2 non-fatal overdose reports. One involving substance believed to be methamphetamine, another report involving a combination of heroin and lyrica. Unusual effect reports — 9 5 methamphetamine reports 3 ketamine reports 1 steroid report … Continued

COMMUNITY DRUG ALERT | COCAINE WITH UNEXPECTED OPIOID EFFECTS We have received reports of fatal and non-fatal overdoses across the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast after people used cocaine and experienced unexpected opioid-like effects. These reports are concerning because people may believe they are taking cocaine, but the substance may contain an unexpected opioid—or … Continued

Community Alert | Opioid overdoses reported in South-West Brisbane We are sharing a recent community alert following a serious opioid-related incident in the south-western suburbs of Brisbane this August. A group of people were using opioids together privately in a home. *Two people survived an overdose, while another person sadly passed away.* Our thoughts are … Continued

NEW DRUG ALERT – from the Victorian Department of Health (Melbourne, October 2021) PMMA has been detected in MDMA (ecstasy) in Melbourne, presenting as broken up (crushed) yellow crystals PMMA is a highly dangerous substance that has resulted in deaths in Australia and other countries. If you might have taken this substance and are experiencing … Continued

NEW DRUG ALERT FROM VICTORIAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 25B-NBOH (mis)sold as powdered ‘LSD’ in VICTORIA. Associated with several recent hospitalisations and no other drugs were involved. Click here to see original report MORE INFORMATION: 25B-NBOH (also known as 2C-B-NBOH and NBOH-2C-B) is novel synthetic psychedelic substance of the phenethylamine chemical class that produces an array … Continued

NSW Health has released a warning about overdosing from using a light brown powder they thought was MDMA but was actually the psychedelic 25C-NBOMe & stimulant 4-FA (4-Fluoroamphetamine). This combo has previously contributed to deaths and hospitalisations in multiple Australian states, including a cluster of deaths in Melbourne in 2016. Effects to look out for: … Continued

⚠️ DRUG ALERT ⚠️ Sydney: Cocaine found to contain strong opioids!   ​NSW Health has released a warning about hospitalisations from strong and long-acting #opioid toxicity after use of substances thought to be #cocaine occurred in two areas across Greater Sydney in April & May 2021.   Whilst the warning is for greater Sydney, drugs … Continued

Drug Alert – Heroin containing Fentanyl and acetylfentanyl, both highly potent opioids – January 2021   Fentanyl and acetylfentanyl have been found in heroin in central Sydney during January 2021. These drugs were also found in regional NSW and Sydney during November and December 2020. Heroin may contain dangerously strong opioids like fentanyl, no matter … Continued

Drug Alert, Nov 2020 Heroin mixed with Fentanyl has been circulating widely in NSW and has caused multiple overdoses since Nov 19. NSW Health has released a warning about the presence of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl in heroin circulating around NSW, which some have described as purple in colour. Fentanyl is a very strong opioid … Continued

Drug Alert️ Cocaine mixed with Fentanyl has been circulating widely in NSW and has caused multiple opioid overdoses particularly in people who don’t regularly use opioids. Fentanyl is a very strong opioid 100x stronger than morphine. The risk of overdose is much higher if you aren’t a regular opioid user. Your risk of overdose also … Continued

Drug Alert – Cocaine & ketamine containing Fentanyl responsible for multiple hospitalisations – October 2020   NSW Health has released a warning about the presence of fentanyl and acetyl-fentanyl in cocaine and ketamine circulating around NSW. Fentanyl is a very strong synthetic opioid, which can be up to 100x stronger than morphine. It can take … Continued

Drug warning 4-Fluoroamphetamine and 25C-NBOMe. September 2020 *** QLD DRUG WARNING *** Please take note of the following drug warning from Qld Forensic and Scientific Services about  4-Fluoroamphetamine and 25C-NBOMe. 19 grams of brown crystalline substance containing a mixture of 4-Fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) and 25C-NBOMe has been identified in Brisbane. This combination of drugs has the … Continued

High-dose MDMA (ecstasy) tablets have been found in NSW. These high-dose tablets contain three times the dose of other MDMA tablets and capsules commonly circulating in NSW. NSW Health has recently identified high-dose blue tablets labelled ‘Chupa Chups’ (average dose was 188mg). The tablets were from a Police seizure earlier this year. Reduce your risk … Continued

Drug: Counterfeit Alprazolam (Xanax/Kalma) NSW Health has released a warning about numerous batches of fake alprazolam/Xanax currently circulating in Australia. Counterfeit alprazolam 2mg tablets have tested positive for substances other than alprazolam/Xanax, including illicit benzodiazepines and hayfever medication. These counterfeit pills have been pressed to look like branded alprazolam tablets and have been sold in … Continued