According to the Penington Institute Overdose Snapshot 2025 almost 190 Australians are dying from drug overdoses each month. The latest data shows that in 2023, 2272 Australians died from an overdose. To put that figure in perspective, it is the equivalent of a Boeing 737 plane full of people dying every month, and almost twice the number of Australian road deaths.

This is an unacceptable loss, but our communities are already working together to save lives. Harm minimisation programs like community education, drug testing, supervised consumption, medication assisted treatment (pharmacotherapy) and naloxone availability work. We just need community and leadership support to make them more widely available. Together we can end overdose.

What are Nitazenes?

Nitazenes are a synthetic opioid that is much stronger than fentanyl or heroin. They were taken off the market in the 1950s because they were too strong for clinical use, but recently have begun to circulate in the Australian community, and will often be hidden in other substances. Nitazenes have not only been found in heroin and other opioid pills, but also in vapes, cocaine, and pills sold as ketamine and MDMA.

Nitazenes have been linked to severe and fatal overdoses in people who were not aware they were taking an opioid, so it’s important to be vigilant for the symptoms of opioid overdose if you or the people around you are vaping or taking drugs — consider carrying Naloxone. Learn more about the symptoms of overdose

Drug checking services save lives in Australia

In some states, you can access drug checking/pill testing services to help you identify if the drugs you’re thinking of taking contain harmful substances like nitazenes.

• ACT: CanTest
• VIC: YSAS will open a Fixed Site in Fitzroy in August 2025, and already operates mobile services at selected festivals
• NSW: Trials are operating at selected festivals through 2025

Until recently, CheQpoint also operated in Queensland, but that service has now been closed as of April 2025.

If you’d like to advocate for drug checking services in your state, reach out to your local state member to let them know. Studies show that the majority of Australians support drug testing, along with major public health bodies like the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a powerful opioid antagonist drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, long enough to call an ambulance and get lifesaving care. Learn about how Naloxone works.

How to Find Naloxone

The Australian government has made Naloxone free to everybody in the community — not only people who are at risk of overdose themselves, but also their carers, friends, family members and neighbours.

The Take Home Naloxone Program

The Take Home Naloxone program allows you to get naloxone free of charge without a prescription from participating pharmacies and services across Australia. You can also get naloxone over the counter from non-participating pharmacies, but they will charge a fee. Find a participating service in your area.

Reach out to us

If you’re dealing with problems related to drugs and/or alcohol and would like to talk to somebody about it, we’re here for you — free, confidential, 24/7. Chat to a counsellor or check out our online member community. .