Public Health Warning: Heroin Overdoses Linked to Drugs Thought to Be Cocaine

NSW Health has issued an urgent warning following four recent heroin overdoses in New South Wales, two of which were fatal. These incidents involved individuals using substances they believed to be cocaine.

Dr. Hester Wilson, NSW Health’s Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist, cautioned that the danger of heroin overdose can arise from even a single dose of what users believe to be cocaine. Two people have died, and two others were hospitalised after using the suspected cocaine.

“A heroin overdose could quickly result from a single line,” Dr. Wilson warned. “Opioids such as heroin can cause severe effects, including pin-point pupils, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing or snoring, and skin turning blue or grey. These are life-threatening symptoms.”

Risks of Unknown Drug Composition

Dr. Wilson emphasised that one of the major risks of illicit drugs is that the contents and strength are often unknown and inconsistent. Heroin and other opioids can sometimes be found in substances sold as cocaine, methamphetamine, or MDMA (ecstasy). “You cannot always distinguish between these drugs by appearance,” she added.

Naloxone

The Importance of Naloxone

People who use substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, or opioids are urged to carry naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. Naloxone is available as a nasal spray or injection, and it is free and accessible without a prescription in NSW.

If someone shows any unexpected symptoms after using drugs, call Triple Zero (000) immediately and administer naloxone if available. Naloxone can be obtained discreetly by contacting NUAA at (02) 8354 7343, or ordered through their online shop.

Key Resources:

• NSW Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26 (available 24/7)
• Alcohol and Drug Information Service: 1800 250 015 (for confidential and anonymous support, available 24/7)
• Public drug warnings: Visit NSW Health’s drug warnings page.

Remember, seeking medical help for yourself or others will not result in legal trouble—take action immediately if you or someone else feels unwell.

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Role of pharmacists to expand to ear infections; nausea; acid reflux; acne; muscle and joint pain

Thousands of people across NSW will be able to access treatment for ear infections, wound management, nausea, gastro, acne, muscle and joint pain at their local pharmacy, boosting access to fast, convenient healthcare across NSW as the role of pharmacist expands.

Health Minister Ryan Park announced at the Pharmacy Guild’s Pharmacy Connect Conference last night in Sydney that work is underway to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice.

That including the following conditions:

• Acute otitis media (middle ear infection)
• Acute otitis externa (outer ear infection)
• Acute minor wound management
• Acute nausea and vomiting
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
• Mild to moderate acne
• Mild, acute musculoskeletal pain

Subject to appropriate training and ongoing work in implementation work, the expanded role of pharmacist service delivery could commence as soon as 2026.

NSW Health is consulting with universities on the development of suitable training as well as the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia on request supports for pharmacists.

This is including:

• Condition specific training; and
• Upskilling in clinical assessment, diagnosis, management and clinical documentation.

NSW Health has also agreed to authorise individual pharmacists who have successful completed the Queensland pilot training to deliver selected services in NSW from January 2025 onwards.

More than 490 pharmacies across the state have participated in the oral contraceptive pill trial since it began, delivering more than 1,800 consultations to women in NSW.

This follows the successful completion of the first phase of the trial in May 2024, which saw more than 3,300 NSW pharmacists provide more than 18,000 consultations to women aged 18 to 65 with symptoms of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI). The UTI service transitioned to usual pharmacy care from 1 June 2024.

The third and final phase of the trial allowing pharmacists to manage common minor skin conditions is underway and will be running until early 2025.

A detailed evaluation of all three phases of the NSW Pharmacy Trial will be provided to NSW Health in 2025 and will inform future expansion of services.

Expanding the scope of practice of pharmacists forms part of the NSW Government’s broader efforts to alleviate pressure on GPs.

According to the Federal Department of Health & Aged Care, there were fewer GPs in NSW in 2023 than there were in 2019.

The GP shortage is having a significant impact on the state’s emergency departments.

While the Minister for Health continues to work with the Commonwealth on the challenges facing primary care, for its part, the NSW Government just this week announced the commencement of its Bulk Billing Support initiative.

It also follows the NSW Government’s half a billion dollar emergency department relief package announced in the state budget in June, which seeks to build more pathways to care outside the hospital, as well as improving patient flow within our hospitals.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health Ryan Park

“We know that it is becoming more difficult to access a GP than ever before, with people often waiting days or even weeks before they can find an appointment.

“By empowering pharmacists to undertake consultations on more conditions, we can relieve the pressure on GPs and end the wait times.

“People should be able to access treatment as and when they need it, and the expansion of this important initiative will improve access to care.”

Quotes Attributable to Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch President David Heffernan

“Whether it’s providing ten million vaccinations during COVID or treating over 18,000 uncomplicated UTIs over the past year, pharmacists have shown that they are able to offer more of the everyday healthcare patients need.

“These changes will mean that patients aren’t forced to present to hospital for a simple ear infection just because their GP can’t see them.

“It’ll mean easier access to everyday healthcare for everyone in New South Wales.”

Quotes attributable to Pharmaceutical Society of NSW President Luke Kelly

“The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia thanks Minister Park and the NSW Government for the confidence they have shown in pharmacists following the success of the NSW Pharmacy Trial, and for leveraging pharmacists’ expertise to expand access to health care.”

“NSW residents will benefit from more timely access to care for a broader range of conditions at their community pharmacy.”

“PSA is committed to workforce preparation, including training, education, practice support and upskilling of pharmacists to undertake and deliver these services.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart MP

“Families from across the Heathcote electorate have been telling me how difficult access to General Practitioners has become in recent years.

“We know that the GP shortage is hurting families in New South Wales and that the NSW Government needs to do what it can to make access to everyday healthcare easier.

“That’s why I’m so proud to be part of a Government that is taking action and empowering our highly skilled pharmacist workforce to play a larger role in healthcare.”

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Ballina Branch of CWA Advocates for Continued Action on Violence Against Women in NSW and ACT Communities

In response to the alarming rise in the number of Australian women losing their lives to intimate partner violence this year, the Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW is using its annual Awareness Week campaign to emphasise the urgent need for sustained action against gender-based violence and violence against women across NSW and the ACT.

CWA of NSW Awareness Week will take place from September 1 to 7, focusing on the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence, including domestic and family violence, as well as violence against women by men who are not their intimate partners. This marks the second time in five years that the association has dedicated its Awareness Week to this critical issue, having previously highlighted domestic and family violence in 2020.

Lyn Davidson of the Ballina CWA Branch stressed the importance of revisiting this issue during Awareness Week, noting that the problem persists and requires renewed attention.

“We represent 8,000 women across NSW and the ACT, and we believe it’s crucial to keep applying pressure on policymakers to improve support and protections for victims of gender-based violence,” Lyn said.

During this year’s Awareness Week, the CWA of NSW is advocating for several key measures, including:

• Further reforms to bail laws to enhance the protection of victims, especially in rural and regional areas.
• Sustainable funding models for frontline victim support services, as well as services targeting perpetrator risk factors.
• The establishment of a real-time system to record, track, and share information on perpetrators across systems and jurisdictions.
• Additional resources for women facing violence in rural and regional communities, where isolation and limited services can make seeking support even more challenging.

The CWA of NSW is also committed to involving men in this year’s campaign, reinforcing the message that everyone must contribute to changing societal and cultural factors that lead to violence.

“It’s up to all of us to take action against violence when we see it, speak up against violent or oppressive language, and challenge the myths that perpetuate these behaviours. When we stand together, we can start to see meaningful change,” Lyn said.

This year, the CWA of NSW is partnering with Domestic Violence NSW, the peak body for specialist domestic and family violence services in NSW, and The Men’s Table, an Australian non-profit organisation that promotes healthy masculinity and provides men with opportunities to discuss personal issues in a supportive environment.

“These organizations are making significant strides in creating positive changes in our society that can ultimately lead to a reduction in incidents of senseless violence,” Lyn added. “With their support during Awareness Week, we aim to continue the conversation around gender-based violence, acknowledging its complexities, and remain fully committed to finding the resources and strategies needed to reverse these devastating statistics.”

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