Potent opioid being passed off as cocaine

The warning was issued on Friday 4 August. Picture: UNSPLASH

The Victorian Department of Health issued a warning via social media on Friday 4 August about a white powder containing the potent opioid ‘metonitazene’ the has been mis-sold as cocaine in Melbourne.

Metonitazene is an opioid that can produce life-threatening toxic effects in very small amounts.

Metonitazene usually appears as a white, off-white or beige powder.

The Department of Health is aware of two serious recent hospitalisations associated with metonitazene.

For more information and for signs of opioid overdose visit: https://go.vic.gov.au/3DHUknv