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Health Experts Warn of Looming Threat of Strong Synthetic Opioids in Australia
Health experts are sounding the alarm about the growing danger of potent synthetic opioids known as nitazenes among drug users in Australia. Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark has called for the urgent establishment of a second safe-injecting room in Melbourne to address the issue.
Urgent Need for Safe-Injecting Room in Melbourne
Speaking at the World Health Summit regional meeting, Clark emphasized the importance of providing a safe environment for drug users. She highlighted the success of existing safe-injecting facilities and stressed the need for additional centers to ensure the safety of individuals using drugs.
Clark also advocated for drug decriminalization, public drug-testing facilities, and safe-injecting sites to combat the imminent threat posed by synthetic opioids. These substances have already caused a surge in drug-related fatalities in North America.
Identification of Strong Synthetic Opioids in Australian States
Recent reports have indicated the presence of nitazenes, highly potent synthetic opioids, in various Australian states including the ACT, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. These substances, some of which can be up to 100 times more potent than fentanyl, pose a significant risk to public health.
Due to their potency, nitazenes are more addictive and dangerous compared to natural opioids like heroin or morphine. The detection of these substances in pills sold as MDMA has raised concerns about the need for pill-testing services across the country.
Call for Increased Harm Reduction Measures
Sione Crawford, the head of Harm Reduction Victoria, highlighted the challenges posed by nitazenes and emphasized the importance of community drug-testing sites and supervised consumption facilities. He stressed the need for proactive measures to prevent a surge in overdoses from synthetic drugs.
Crawford called for increased access to take-home naloxone with overdose education and emphasized the importance of stigma-free conversations about drug use. He urged governments to take swift action to prevent the influx of synthetic drugs into the illicit market.
Government Response and Recommendations
The Victorian government has faced calls to open a second safe drug injecting facility in Melbourne following a series of fatal overdoses involving nitazenes. An independent expert panel recommended the establishment of a new center to alleviate pressure on existing services.
While the government has committed to releasing a report on the matter, delays in publication have raised concerns among advocates for harm reduction measures. Clark reiterated the need for decriminalization and policy reforms to address the root causes of drug-related harm.
UN Drug Conventions and Policy Change
Clark called for a reconsideration of the United Nations drug conventions, which she believes have focused too heavily on law enforcement approaches. She emphasized the importance of shifting towards harm reduction strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals who use drugs.
As the threat of synthetic opioids looms large in Australia, experts and advocates continue to push for comprehensive harm reduction measures to address the evolving drug landscape.
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