Deadly batch of heroin kills 13 in just four weeks across Sydney

A DEADLY batch of heroin is believed to be responsible for 13 deaths across Sydney in the past four weeks, the state coroner warned today.

A deadly batch of heroin is believed to be responsible for 13 deaths across Sydney

A DEADLY batch of heroin is believed to be responsible for 13 deaths across Sydney in the past four weeks, the state coroner warned today.

In every case, the deceased was found slumped on the floor with a syringe in their hands or needles and drugs paraphernalia strewn next to their body indicating a death shortly after the dangerous substance was injected

A spike in heroin overdoses over a short period suggests an unusually strong or corrupted supply being sold in Sydney.

Warning... Coroner Michael Barnes

State Coroner Michael Barnes today issued a warning in the wake of the deaths.

“Street-level heroin is rarely pure and can sometimes be cut with drugs or compounds that can kill you in one dose,” he said.

“As State Coroner, I deal with hundreds of deaths each year and it is part of my role to make recommendations that can save lives.

“In this instance, there is an urgency to bring this spate of drug-related deaths to the attention of the public prior to any inquest being held.

“The message is clear - if you’re thinking of experimenting with illicit drugs just don’t do it. Heroin has always been dangerous and these recent deaths highlight it’s a gamble not worth taking.”​

Two of the 13 dead are female, while the rest are men, mostly middle aged.

Fatal batch:

• 2/5/16
  Age: 41
  Gender: Male
  Death occurred: Willoughby
  
• 6/5/16
  Age: 51
  Gender: Male
  Death occurred: Liverpool
  
• 16/5/16
  Age: 28
  Gender: Male
  Death occurred: St Peters
  
• 18/5/16
  Age: 44
  Gender: Female
  Death occurred: Lane Cove North
  
• 18/5/16
  Age: 52
  Gender: Male
  Death occurred: Silverdale
  
• 20/5/16
  Age: 39
  Gender: Male
  Death occurred: Maroubra
  
• 25/5/16
  Age: 22
  Gender: Male
  Death occurred: Waterloo
  
• 25/5/16
  Age: 48
  Gender: Male
  Death occurred: Waterloo
  
• 26/5/16
  Age: Unknown
  Gender: Male
  Death occurred: Werrington
  
• 30/5/16
  Age: 41
  Gender: Male
  Death occurred: Potts Point
  
• 1/6/16
  Age: 48
  Gender: Male
  Death occurred: Wolloomooloo
  
• 2/6/16
  Age: 53
  Gender: Female
  Death occurred: Dee Why
  
• 3/6/16
  Age: 30
  Gender: Male
  Death occurred: Whalan