SA Schoolies alert for ‘ecstasy’ pills laced with deadly opioid

Experts have sounded the alarm about pills potentially being sold as “organic ecstasy” or just “MDMA” at Schoolies next week that actually contain the fatal opioid nitazene.

The AFP have raised concerns about the deadly opioid nitazene hitting Australian streets. Picture: Supplied by Australian Federal Police.

Experts have sounded a deadly warning about pills being sold as “organic ecstasy”, “natural ecstasy” or just “MDMA” at Schoolies this week, unaware they could contain nitazenes – up to 50 times more potent than fentanyl.

The threat has renewed a push for legalised pill testing in South Australia.

Dr John Williams, president of the Australian Medical Association’s SA branch, told The Advertiser he was concerned school-leavers at next week’s Victor Harbor Schoolies event may be taking pills that they think is just MDMA, unaware the drug contains nitazenes or other harmful synthetic opioids.

AMA SA president Dr John Williams.

Authorities have raised concerns the deadly opioid Nitazene could be hitting Australian streets. Picture: Supplied/ Australian Federal Police

Nitazene, an illicit and dangerous synthetic compound opioid considered to be more potent than fentanyl or heroin, is known to be mixed and sold as MDMA.

The AMA has also warned that a variety of other synthetic compounds are being detected at an increased rate.

“MDMA pills” are being sold at events like music festivals across the country, leading to emergency department admissions and sometimes deaths.

“Anyone can take, get a pill maker and put any kind of white powder in that, and then package it any way they like, and put in it whatever they want. Yeah. We are none the wiser about what that is,” Dr Williams said.

“My best advice would be just don’t take the pills at all.”

Dr Williams said that he supported legalising pill testing, because the tests would allow a user to determine if there are any synthetic compounds in a pill bought as ecstasy or MDMA.

Michael White, executive officer of the South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services said that it was important to keep in mind that the drug that posed the biggest risk at Schoolies would be alcohol.

“The kids who will be in trouble at schoolies will be drunk,” he said.

“They’re wandering across the road, they’re being stupid, they’re taking risks. Let’s not forget that.”

CEO of The Loop Australia Cameron Francis and chemist Madeline Harding with a ATR instrument that will test pills and powders for the duration of the Schoolies festival on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

He said the research shows that after pill-testing 16 per cent of people discarded their drugs, while another 25 per cent of people reduced the dose that they were going to take.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens issued a safety warning ahead of next week’s festivities, and on the eve of the 12-month anniversary of his own son’s death during Schoolies.

“I think Schoolies generally is a really safe event for young people. But we just encourage people to make sensible choices, you know, think about your mates. Your friends. Have a good time,” he said.

“But do so in a way that doesn’t put yourself at risk. Make good choices not just for yourself, but for the other people that you’re interacting with, people that are around you as well.

“Come home with good memories.”