Adelaide man dead, woman in RAH after lethal synthetic opioid

A man is dead and a woman in the Royal Adelaide Hospital after overdosing on a lethal new synthetic drug, which follows two men ending up in hospital last week.

An Adelaide man is dead and a woman in hospital after overdosing on the lethal synthetic opioid protonitazene.

The death follows the overdose of two men last week in Adelaide who needed emergency hospital treatment.

The woman is still being treated at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the man’s death is being investigated by the coroner.

A man is dead and a woman is in the Royal Adelaide Hospital after overdosing on the lethal synthetic opioid protonitazene. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

These cases confirm that protonitazene has entered the South Australian illicit drug market, and in addition may be contaminating other non-opioid illicit drugs, such as methamphetamine.

Opioids are used to manage severe pain and include morphine, heroin, oxycontin, codeine, methadone, and hydromorphone. They also can produce a sense of euphoria.

Individuals exposed to protonitazene are at a high risk of opioid poisoning, and the drug can produce life-threatening toxic effects at low doses. People using drugs while unsupervised or alone are at particular risk.

SA Health says the drug’s effects may be reversed by giving the affected person naloxone (Nyxoid spray or Narcan) which is available at most pharmacies without a prescription and at no cost.

The coroner is investigating the man’s death. Picture: File

Officials say illicit drug users are strongly encouraged to ensure they have access to naloxone “but should not anticipate that this will remove the risk of death associated with drug use.”

Protonitazene has recently been detected in Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia but last week’s cases were the first detection in a clinical environment in South Australia.

Acting State Director, Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia, Dr Victoria Cock urged anyone who has unexpected effects after taking an illicit drug to call triple-0 (000) or go to a hospital emergency department.

“We are once again reminding all South Australians that the effects of protonitazene and drugs that it could be disguised in are capable of causing an overdose that could be fatal,” she said.

“There is major concern that this drug is being mixed with other illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine, and that people are being accidentally exposed to it.

“Even if used knowingly by a regular opioid user, there is a high chance of overdose and death.”

RAH emergency physician and clinical toxicologist Associate Professor Sam Alfred warned of the multiple dangers of taking illicit drugs.

“The danger of taking any type of recreational drug is that it is impossible to know where it has come from, what is in it and at what dose, and what affect it will have on the individual who takes it,” he said.

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