Heroin misrepresented as cocaine in the Auckland region

This notification is to let you know that heroin has been found in a white powder that was sold as cocaine within the Auckland region. People who consume this powder thinking its cocaine are at high risk of experiencing serious harm, including death.

This powder is present in Auckland but currently there is no information surrounding its prevalence across other regions. There is a concern this powder may continue being sold as cocaine. It is important to never assume that what drug you have is what it has been sold as. Misrepresentation can occur anywhere along the supply chain.

High Alert urges extreme caution should you choose to use white powders, and drug checking is recommended to help minimise the risk. Drug checking services can identify when a substance is not what it has been sold as. Find upcoming clinics at The Level.

If you or someone you know takes a substance thought to be cocaine and starts to experience unusual effects, call 111. Tell them what you think has been taken and that it could be an opioid overdose. Be honest about your drug use. You won’t get in trouble, and it could save you or your friends’ life.

Naloxone can be used to help reverse an opioid overdose. Given the potency and duration of effect, any person administered naloxone should continue to be monitored for at least 2 hours and followed up by medical services.

How to recognise the drug

The sample was brought into a drug checking clinic in Auckland. It was white powder, that was sold as cocaine.

The sample presented to drug checking

Preliminary testing by the New Zealand Drug Foundation indicated the presence of heroin, and no cocaine. It is unknown if this powder is available in other regions.

Cocaine and heroin are different classes of drugs and produce different effects. Cocaine is classed as a central nervous system stimulant, whereas heroin is a potent opioid and central nervous system depressant.

A typical dose of heroin is much smaller than a typical dose of cocaine meaning that a person taking this substance thinking it is cocaine may inadvertently take multiple doses of heroin, increasing the risk of serious harm.

The effects of heroin can include:

• Feeling euphoric or in a ‘dreamlike’ state.
• Sedation (‘the nod’ – being drowsy and then jerking awake).
• Temporary relief of pain, stress, or low mood.
• Severe nausea and/or vomiting.
• Severe sweating or fever.
• Slowed and/or difficulty breathing.
• Blue lips and/or fingertips.
• Cold and clammy skin.
• Pinpoint (tiny) pupils.
• Seizures.
• Becoming unresponsive and/or losing consciousness.

In Australia, heroin misrepresented as cocaine has recently led to severe harm, including death.

More information on heroin is available on the NZ Drug Foundation’s website, The Level.

How to reduce harm from the drug

High Alert urges extreme caution should you choose to use white powders. Drug checking is recommended to help minimise the risk. 

KnowYourStuffNZ, the New Zealand Drug Foundation and the New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme's DISC Trust run regular drug checking clinics across the country, and a drop off service is now available in Auckland. A calendar of upcoming clinics can be found on The Level.

If you choose to use this substance:

• Drug checking services can identify when a substance is not what it has been sold as, find upcoming clinics at The Level.
• Use a reagent test to check it first. Morris reagent will turn a bright blue colour if cocaine is present, like blue raspberry, but will not change colour if there is only heroin.
• Avoid using alone. Have a buddy who can help, and call an ambulance, if things go wrong.
• Lower doses are less risky. Start off with a smaller dose to check how it affects you. In general, swallowing a substance has a slower onset than other methods and means there might be more time to get medical help if needed. 
• Avoid using it at the same time as other substances, especially other depressant drugs such as alcohol, opioids, GHB/GBL, ketamine, and benzodiazepines, as these can increase the sedative effects of opioids (for example, slowing or stopping breathing).
• Have naloxone with you – a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and give you more time to get medical help. Talk to your GP about this. Remember, opioids can be fast acting and you may not initially realise you require naloxone. Even if you have naloxone on hand, you may not be able to administer it by yourself. Avoid using alone. Have someone with you who is familiar with and can administer naloxone if needed.

Call 111 and ask for an ambulance immediately if you or someone else has any of the below signs after taking this substance. Tell them what has been taken and that it could be an opioid, it could save a life. Don’t leave the person alone and treat it as an overdose if unsure.

The signs of an opioid overdose include:

• The person's face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch.
• Their body goes limp.
• Their fingernails and/or lips have a purple or blue colour.
• They start vomiting or making gurgling noises.
• They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak.
• Their pupils become very small.
• Their breathing and/or heartbeat slows or stops.

If you have heard of any reports of this drug, please let us know through the Report unusual effects page, the alert ID is N24/046. All submissions are anonymous.