Heroin misrepresented as a benzodiazepine in the Auckland region

This notification is to let you know heroin has been detected in a white powder that was sold as an unknown benzodiazepine in the Auckland region. People who consume this powder believing it to be a benzodiazepine are at risk of experiencing harm.

This powder was presented to a drug checking clinic in Auckland, and there is currently no information available on it's availability in other regions. There is a concern that this powder may continue to be sold as a benzodiazepine.

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 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 a benzodiazepine 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 friend’s 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 seek medical advice. 

How to recognise the drug

A sample of white powder presumed to be a benzodiazepine was tested at a New Zealand Drug Foundation drug checking clinic in Auckland. Further testing was carried out by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), and the preliminary results indicate the presence of heroin. No benzodiazepine was detected in this powder. It is unknown if this powder is circulating other regions.

Photo of the white powder found to contain heroin.

Heroin and benzodiazepines come from different classes of drugs and produce different effects. While both are central nervous system depressants, heroin is a potent opioid and large doses can result in serious harm and death.

The substance contained no fillers, only heroin. Benzodiazepines often come in pill form and the substance could be mistaken for a crushed pill. If someone took a pill-sized dose of this powder, it could result in an overdose. You can't assume powder is actually a crushed pill.

People who take multiple benzodiazepine pills at the same time may inadvertently take a dangerous amount of heroin.

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

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

How to reduce harm from the drug

High Alert urges caution should you choose to use benzodiazepines and 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. A calendar of upcoming clinics can be found on The Level.

If you choose to use this substance:

• Use a reagent test to check it first if you can't get to a drug checking clinic. Marquis reagent will turn purple if an opioid is present.
• Avoid using alone. Have a friend who can help, and call an ambulance, if things go wrong. Use a buddy system if needed - where someone is on the phone or calls you to check you are ok.
• Lower doses are less risky. Start off with a small amount to check how it affects you. If you notice unexpected effects avoid taking more.
• 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. It also is easier to stop if experiencing unexpected effects – avoiding taking too much.  
• Avoid using it at the same time as other substances and medications, especially depressant drugs such as alcohol, opioids, GHB/GBL, ketamine, and benzodiazepines as these can increase the risk 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 local needle exchange or 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.
  • If you aren’t sure whether someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, you should use naloxone anyway. Naloxone won’t hurt the person if they aren’t overdosing. There is no maximum dose of naloxone - meaning that you are not at risk of giving someone too much.

Call 111 and ask for an ambulance immediately if you are concerned, or 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 contain heroin, 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: 

• They may not be completely awake or are unresponsive.
• They are breathing slowly or not at all (they may be snoring).
• 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.
• Their pupils become very small.
• Their 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 N25/0053. All submissions are anonymous.

Are you concerned about your own drinking or drug taking? Reach out to the Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797, or text 8681. You'll be able to speak with a trained counsellor who can provide you with helpful information, insight and support. They’re available 24/7, all calls are free and confidential.

You can also chat to the Alcohol Drug Helpline team online through the website, or:

• Call the Māori Line on 0800 787 798 for advice and referral to kaupapa Māori services.
• Call the Pasifika Line on 0800 787 799 for advice and referral to services developed for Pacific people.
• Call the Youth Line on 0800 787 984 for advice and referral to services for young people.