Queensland pill testing service CheQpoint detects another sample of nitazene

Queensland’s pill testing service has detected a highly toxic opioid responsible for overdose deaths around Australia, just days before the service is axed by the state government.

Queensland’S first fixed-site drug checking (also known as pill testing) service, CheQpoint, opened in Bowen Hills. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

The Queensland pill testing service CheQpoint has detected a third sample of nitazene, a powerful and highly toxic synthetic opioid, just days before the service is due to shut its doors.

Nitazenes are hundreds of times more potent than morphine and are driving overdose deaths across Australia.

These drugs are often sold as legitimate pharmaceuticals — leaving people unaware that they are consuming a potentially lethal substance.

CheQpoint’s final daY of service is this Friday.

This latest detection brings the total to three nitazene finds since November 2024, all involving counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs.

CheQpoint has also detected multiple samples of novel benzodiazepines like bromazolam — another drug linked to a wave of overdoses in Australia and around the world.

Unlike other jurisdictions, Queensland does not currently have an overdose monitoring system or a public drug alert network.

Queensland’S first fixed-site drug checking (also known as pill testing) service, CheQpoint, opened in Bowen Hills.Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

Pill testing is the only real-time system capable of identifying toxic drugs before they cause harm.

CheQpoint’s 12-month pilot was funded by the Queensland Government, with an independent evaluation due at the end of May.

But the LNP government decided to axe the service before May.

Over the past year, CheQpoint has tested over 1000 drug samples and supported nearly 700 individuals with free, confidential health advice. One in every ten samples contained an unexpected psychoactive substance, with one in every seven people accessing the service disposing of their drugs after talking with a health professional.

AMAQ President Nick Yim said it is “deeply disappointing that the government has cancelled Queensland’s lifesaving pill testing service”.

“We know more people are turning to cheaper, unregulated medicines which puts them at high risk of harm,” he said

Cameron Francis, chief executive of The Loop Australia which runs the testing said the state shouldn’t wait for someone to die before the public is alerted to these dangerous drugs.

Originally published as Queensland pill testing service CheQpoint detects another sample of nitazene