Warning issued as number of heroin overdoses reported in Dublin rises to 54
The HSE is 'very concerned about a new batch of brown powder circulating in the Dublin city centre region'. File picture: PeopleImages
There have now been 54 reported cases of heroin overdoses in Dublin, the HSE has said, with eight ambulance callouts over the weekend.
A number of overdoses occurred in Dublin city this morning and the HSE warned: “There is increased risk at present."
It called on people to be extra careful, saying officials “remain very concerned about a new batch of brown powder circulating in the Dublin city centre region".
An additional eight ambulance call-outs took place in the 24 hours up to Sunday evening, following 40 overdoses reported up to Friday.
“In addition, the HSE can confirm that a second sample of drugs associated with an overdose situation was identified as heroin adulterated with nitazene drugs,” a spokeswoman said.
People using heroin or around those using this drug were reminded that: “Naloxone is an essential tool in reversing overdose associated with opioid drugs, including synthetic opioids such as nitazenes.”
Speaking on Friday, Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE national clinical lead, Addiction Services, raised concerns about the ongoing situation.
"We are urging extreme caution following a sharp rise in the number of overdoses related to a powder being sold as heroin in the Dublin region," he said.
"We are urging extreme caution following a sharp rise in the number of overdoses related to a powder being sold as heroin in the Dublin region," he said.
The HSE has issued advice to anyone using heroin at this time.
“We are reminding people to be extra careful, avoid using new drugs, new batches of drugs, or buying from new sources. It is safer not to use drugs at all,” the spokeswoman said.
Other safety advice included avoiding new batches of heroin, avoiding buying from new suppliers, and avoiding trying new batches or new types of drugs.
People were also advised to talk to their local service or doctor as soon as possible about how to access Naloxone.
Anyone using heroin at this time is advised to avoid doing so alone and to have a rescue plan, as well as testing the dose and going very slowly.
“There is increased risk of overdose at this time,” she advised, and the HSE urged users to avoid using heroin while also taking other drugs including methadone, benzodiazepines, or alcohol.
Laboratory tests are under way to identify the substances involved.
"It has been confirmed through analysis conducted by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) that a trace amount of a Nitazene-type substance has been identified in a brown powder associated with a Dublin overdose," said the HSE.
"Ongoing analysis is being conducted on the sample to identify the exact composition of the substance."
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