One person has died and multiple people have overdosed across Victoria, leading to the discovery of heroin in substances thought to be methamphetamine or cocaine, the Department of Health says.
The department has issued an alert warning that heroin was involved in four separate incidents across the state, with people unknowingly taking the drug requiring emergency care.
“Specialised blood tests showed evidence of heroin as well as cocaine and methamphetamine, suggesting that heroin may have been mixed into those drugs,” it said.
The state government alert said that opioids were central nervous system depressants, typically producing a range of effects such as pain relief, sedation and dangerously slow breathing.
“Small amounts of opioids can cause life-threatening overdose, especially in people who have never used opioids or only use them occasionally,” the statement said.
Using heroin with depressants such as alcohol, GHB or medication such as Xanax or Valium further increased the risk, the department said.
Signs of an opioid overdose include slow breathing, it being more difficult to wake the person up, and in some cases, tiny pupils.
The department said the medication naloxone can reverse a heroin overdose and save a life, and can be accessed for free at some pharmacies, health services or dispensing machines.
Anyone experiencing toxic drug effects, or who notices someone else experiencing an unexpected reaction, should phone Triple Zero (000) immediately.
