Drug Alerts and Resources
A one stop Western Australia location of republished national ‘drug alerts’, on emerging novel, high purity, counterfeit prescription and other harmful drugs detected in Australia.
Fake Xanax pills
Drugs have been found in Adelaide that contain very potent opioids, benzos and animal tranquilisers. These have a high chance of killing you – even if you are a regular user.
High dose MDMA (ecstasy)
Tablets - Blue diamond shaped tablet with ‘punisher’ logo. Tablets averaged 216 mg of MDMA, double or more than the average amount of MDMA tablets.
High dose MDMA (ecstasy)
Tablets - orange spade shaped, often with ‘Ace of Spades’ logo. Tablets averaged 146 mg of MDMA, double or more than the average amount of MDMA tablets.
Isotonitazene
Yellow powder - containing a potent synthetic opioid (isotonitazene). Nitazenes can be as strong as, or stronger than fentanyl and can cause death.
High dose MDMA (ecstasy)
Tablets – pink-orange square tablets, with a ‘GUCCI’ logo and wording. Tablets averaged 414 mg of MDMA, four times more than the average amount of MDMA tablets.
CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service Program Evaluation: Final Report 2023
This final evaluation reports on the first six months of operation of the fixed-site health and drug checking service CanTEST in Canberra, ACT.
Resources
Cracks in the Ice phone app
The Cracks in the Ice app provides trusted, evidence-based, and up-to-date information and resources about crystal methamphetamine ('ice').
Comorbidity Guidelines
Newly released in 2023 the Matilda Centre Third Edition, Guidelines on the management of co-occurring alcohol and other drug and mental health conditions, in alcohol and other drug treatment settings.
Drug Facts
A list of drug types, images, harms, effects, and harm reduction information by ADF.
CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service Program Evaluation: Final Report 2023
This final evaluation reports on the first six months of operation of the fixed-site health and drug checking service CanTEST in Canberra, ACT.
Counselling guidelines: alcohol and other drug issues
An essential tool for workers in the alcohol and drug and community sector. The Mental Health Commission Fourth Edition 2019.
Understanding Naloxone
Pennington Institute - information sheet on how naloxone works to reverse the effects of opioids.
DNeT Drugs and New Technologies Cryptomarket Report 2023
Reports on trends in the availability, types of drugs and sites where drugs are sold on the internet via cryptomarkets from June 2022 - May 2023.
Australia's Annual Overdose Report 2023
This year’s Australia’s Annual Overdose Report by Pennington, presents 2021 data, which shows 1,675 Australians died from unintentional overdose. Opioids were involved in 81%, and benzodiazepines were involved in 66% of polydrug use deaths in Australia.
World Drug Report 2023
UNODC 2023, presents the latest global drug trends, emerging drugs and contemporary issues related to drugs.
Publications & Interests
Counselling guidelines: alcohol and other drug issues
An essential tool for workers in the alcohol and drug and community sector. The Mental Health Commission Fourth Edition 2019.
Take-home naloxone programs in Australia
A snapshot of take home naloxone programs, during which 146 lives were reported as being saved. Following the success of these programs, the hope is to move towards a nationally coherent program for universal access.
Evaluation of the WA Peer Naloxone Project 2016
The WA Peer Naloxone Project (WAPNP), highlights that lives are saved when people who use drugs, are empowered to deliver harm reduction education to their peers.
The Emerging Drugs Network of Australia
Emerging drugs in the emergency department 2022. Translating clinical and toxicological evidence into timely harm reduction responses.