1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:01,840 Speaker 1: A bit of a change of pace because we know 2 00:00:01,880 --> 00:00:05,160 Speaker 1: that the Royal Australian College of GPS is calling on 3 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:08,760 Speaker 1: state and territory governments to implement pill testing to save 4 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: lives amid warnings about a dangerous synthetic opioid. Now it 5 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:18,599 Speaker 1: comes after the AFP raised concerns about nitazine, a drug 6 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:23,160 Speaker 1: stronger than fentanyl and hundreds of times more potent than 7 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: a heroine. It's understood nitozine was recently detected in fake pharmaceuticals, 8 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:35,559 Speaker 1: including counterfeit pain medications by Queensland's Drug Testing Service and 9 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:40,440 Speaker 1: last month, well that last month which had ceased operating. 10 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:43,160 Speaker 1: Now we also know that we've got music festival based 11 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 1: in the Grass happening this weekend. And joining us on 12 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:49,520 Speaker 1: the line is the Royal Australian College of GPS Alcohol 13 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 1: and Drug spokesperson, Doctor Marguerite Tracy. Good morning to you, 14 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: doctor Tracy. 15 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:57,880 Speaker 2: Oh, good morning Katie. Lovely to be with you. 16 00:00:57,960 --> 00:00:59,960 Speaker 1: You're lovely to have you on the show. Now, First, 17 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: what exactly is nitozine? 18 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:07,560 Speaker 2: Well, I think you described it really well. Actually it's 19 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 2: a really strong opioid drug and we know that opioid 20 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:15,960 Speaker 2: medications are predominantly used for you know, severe pain and 21 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 2: acute pain, and we know it works really well. You know, 22 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:21,399 Speaker 2: if you've got a broken limb more you've had just 23 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:24,840 Speaker 2: had surgery, that it helps quite a lot to relieve 24 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 2: pain for a short period of time. And so we've 25 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 2: used opioids for a long time, and heroin is also 26 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:36,199 Speaker 2: another opioid. So then I think people are quite aware 27 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 2: that you know, sentinel has been an issue in the 28 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:44,440 Speaker 2: US and contaminating their drug supply, and that's much stronger 29 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 2: than heroin and other opioids, and that we tend to 30 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 2: pre usually prescribe. And then nitozines us much stronger again, 31 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 2: and there are a whole different all different types of nitazines, 32 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 2: but they're all much stronger, much stronger opioid yep. 33 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 1: And so how dangerous is that, you know, when people 34 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 1: are using it not for its intended purpose. 35 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 2: Well, it's not really ever an intended purpose, partly because 36 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:18,920 Speaker 2: these drugs were created decades ago and found to be 37 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:22,360 Speaker 2: just too strong and too dangerous to use clinically. And 38 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 2: so but what we found now is that they're contaminating 39 00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 2: the drug supply of other things that people are intending 40 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:35,399 Speaker 2: to take. It's not just heroine that's being contaminated with nazines. 41 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:40,040 Speaker 2: We've found it in as you mentioned, benzodiazpins, fake other 42 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:45,640 Speaker 2: tablets that people are taking, but cocaine and phetamines, cannabis liquid, 43 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:47,919 Speaker 2: you name it. We're found all around Australia in lots 44 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:51,640 Speaker 2: of different substances. And so the issue with that is 45 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 2: that if you're expecting to take something that's going to 46 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 2: have one effect, the nazine that's in that can cause 47 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:01,360 Speaker 2: an opioid overdose, so it reduces your to breathe and 48 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:03,240 Speaker 2: you can stop breathing and die from it. 49 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 1: Wow. I mean to me, it sounds like a frightening, 50 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 1: frightening thing. Do you know if it's been detected here 51 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 1: in the Northern Territory. 52 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:18,679 Speaker 2: I believe it was found in a recent hall of 53 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 2: drugs that they found with a person who had a 54 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 2: whole bunch of substances and one of those was unnamed 55 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 2: pharmaceuticals which contained magazines. So it was on its way 56 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 2: into the system. Yep. 57 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, right. And so I mean when you talk about 58 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 1: something like this and you talk about then you know, 59 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 1: pill testing, when we've got festivals and things on, why 60 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 1: do you think that pill testing is important and what 61 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 1: impact could it have if people are able to test 62 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 1: you know, what they're planning to take. 63 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 2: There's lots of benefits we've found to pill testing, both 64 00:03:57,040 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 2: some fixed sight testing that's in the ac TEA, but 65 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 2: also increasingly lots of jurisdictions around Australia are implementing trials 66 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 2: or doing it regularly. Now we just you know, it's 67 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:13,480 Speaker 2: just happened in New South Wales, which is great. We've 68 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:17,719 Speaker 2: had our first festival pill testing and what it means 69 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 2: for people on the ground is that not everyone who 70 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:22,159 Speaker 2: goes to a festival, not everyone that's going to go 71 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 2: to base in the grass is planning to use and 72 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 2: we know that from a previous you know, some published 73 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 2: studies that have been that were done in the Northern Territory. 74 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 2: There's only about twelve percent of people who are planning 75 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:36,600 Speaker 2: to use drugs at that occasion. But if they are, 76 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:39,560 Speaker 2: think if they've got a substance with them, they can 77 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 2: go to a confidential tent have their substance tested and 78 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 2: sure it's still not one hundred percent, we know that, 79 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:51,240 Speaker 2: but what it means is that they can get some 80 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 2: advice on what's in that tablet or substance that they're 81 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:59,599 Speaker 2: planning to use, and they can choose to relinquish it, 82 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 2: to choose to leave it in a bin there, and 83 00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:04,040 Speaker 2: we can do some more testing on that and find 84 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:06,360 Speaker 2: out what's going on in the system. But they can 85 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:10,240 Speaker 2: also get some personal advice if they're worried about their substance. 86 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:10,480 Speaker 1: Use. 87 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 2: It's a place where you can seek help and get 88 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:17,039 Speaker 2: put in touch with services, and it benefits anyone else 89 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 2: who's with them who's got that substance. They can let 90 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 2: them know as well that something unexpected has potentially been 91 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 2: found in that substance, and they can also choose not 92 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:28,599 Speaker 2: to take that. 93 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 1: I know, it's always a really tough one, Marguerite, because 94 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 1: there's some people that look at it and go, you know, well, 95 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:36,840 Speaker 1: this is an illegal substance. They shouldn't be able to 96 00:05:37,279 --> 00:05:40,159 Speaker 1: you know, there shouldn't be pill testing because they shouldn't 97 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:42,000 Speaker 1: be taking it in the first place, And like, I 98 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:45,159 Speaker 1: totally get that, But then what I worry about is 99 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 1: that you will have you know, you will have people 100 00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 1: still taking these things and they'll, you know, like they're 101 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 1: gonna they're going to wind up in a very dangerous 102 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 1: situation if they take something that isn't what they may 103 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:00,919 Speaker 1: be intended to take absolutely. 104 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:04,359 Speaker 2: And look, the College isn't condoning substance use, but we 105 00:06:04,440 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 2: are saying this is a health issue, right, So if 106 00:06:08,160 --> 00:06:11,000 Speaker 2: people use substances, they use alcohol, they use all sorts 107 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 2: of things in all sorts of ways, and as gps 108 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 2: where they're to support people and to help them use 109 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 2: any substance if they're going to choose to use it 110 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:24,560 Speaker 2: as safely as possible. So this is harm reduction and 111 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:26,120 Speaker 2: it's one of a lot of things we can do. 112 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 2: Pill testing is one of those, but medically supervised use 113 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 2: ven use the looxone, which is actually the treatment if 114 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:39,039 Speaker 2: someone else a nose spray or injection that is free 115 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:41,839 Speaker 2: from the chemist without a script. That you know, we 116 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 2: should be widely supporting and letting everyone know they can 117 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:49,719 Speaker 2: get hold of this, and that's another way to reduce 118 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 2: the potential harms of substances like this. 119 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 1: And so is it something that people take if there 120 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:58,599 Speaker 1: may be are overdosed, or if they've or if they've 121 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: had an issue or what's the what's what a nose 122 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:01,160 Speaker 1: spry one? 123 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:05,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, So the lock soon or we sometimes called it 124 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 2: take home the lock zone, has been around for a 125 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:13,920 Speaker 2: long time. It's becoming increasingly available in Australia, so certainly 126 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 2: in the Northern Territory and some of your you know, 127 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 2: the primary outlets that you guys have up there say 128 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 2: on their website that you can get it over the counter. 129 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:28,680 Speaker 2: It's if someone stops breathing, or if they're breathing very 130 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 2: shallowly and they've taken a substance whether Look, we would 131 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 2: have said in the past, if they've taken an opioid, 132 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 2: then then we know that that's what's happening. They're potentially 133 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 2: having an overdose, so they're falling asleep on it and 134 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 2: they're not breathing properly. You can use this nose spray 135 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 2: very simply and it will reverse that drug in their system. 136 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 2: The complex with more complication I will put in there 137 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 2: is that with nightazines, we're finding that some people need 138 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 2: multiple doses. Yeah, because it's so strong. So if someone 139 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 2: has that fantastic everyone you know is everyone who knows 140 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 2: anyone in their life, even that uses substances. You can 141 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 2: go to a chemist, get in the locks home and 142 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 2: if you've got it there and if someone needs it, 143 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 2: call an ambulance as well. Please. Yeah, So make sure 144 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 2: that you get that ongoing help just in case it's 145 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 2: one of these very strong opioids. 146 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:27,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, now, if you have just joined us, we are 147 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:30,320 Speaker 1: indeed joined on the show by the Royal Australian College 148 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: of GPS Alcohol and Other Drugs spokesperson Doctor Marguerite Tracy. 149 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: Doctor Tracy tell us what else would the Royal Australian 150 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:40,920 Speaker 1: College of GPS like to see when it comes to 151 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:45,120 Speaker 1: keeping people safe from opioids or in the event you 152 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:49,920 Speaker 1: know that they witness an overdose or you know, yeah, 153 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:53,599 Speaker 1: when they're out maybe at these different events. 154 00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 2: I think you know, we will always want people to 155 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 2: look after each other. We we don't like people using 156 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 2: any substance by themselves. You know, it increases the dangers. 157 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 2: If you haven't got a friend with you to help 158 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 2: you out, that puts you at increased risk of danger. 159 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 2: We tell people to start low and go slow. So 160 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:19,800 Speaker 2: if people are taking a new substance, to use a 161 00:09:19,960 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 2: very small amount of it to see what you know, 162 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:29,040 Speaker 2: what they're taking. And if people are struggling with substance youth, 163 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:35,800 Speaker 2: see your GP seek help. All of those I mentioned. 164 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:41,720 Speaker 2: I think you guys have got primary outlets in the 165 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 2: Northern Territory and Darwin Palmerston Alla Springs as well, and 166 00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 2: that would certainly be able to provide advice online advice. 167 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 2: But yep, you can see your GP and get referred. 168 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 2: And we're certainly advocating for really good funding of alcohol 169 00:09:57,120 --> 00:09:59,599 Speaker 2: and other drug services. I just heard when I was 170 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:02,960 Speaker 2: sitting on the line there's millions headed towards that in 171 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory and that's a really positive thing. 172 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:09,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, look, I agree. What is your message this morning 173 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,320 Speaker 1: for the Northern Territory government around this pill testing and 174 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:14,560 Speaker 1: around you know, alcohol and other drugs. 175 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:19,479 Speaker 2: Look, the College is really keen to support to support 176 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:25,679 Speaker 2: having fixed tests but also festival drug testing, ensuring that 177 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:30,080 Speaker 2: nolocton is widely available and lots of people know about it, 178 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 2: that there's safe places for people to use, and that 179 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:38,200 Speaker 2: people are aware that they can get support from their GPS. 180 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:40,840 Speaker 2: And we want to make sure that if they go 181 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 2: to their GPS and need help, that they've got really 182 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:47,880 Speaker 2: well funded specialist alcohol and other drugs support services as well. 183 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 1: Well. Doctor Marguerite Tracy, I really appreciate your time this morning. 184 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:53,679 Speaker 1: I think it's a really interesting discussion to have. And 185 00:10:53,720 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 1: as I said earlier, I know some people will be 186 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:59,000 Speaker 1: all for these others will be concerned about it, but 187 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,719 Speaker 1: I think it is a really important discussion to have. 188 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:06,680 Speaker 2: Yeah. Look, I think just remember that it could be 189 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 2: your relative, your child, your friend, or your colleague colleague, 190 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 2: and this is a health issue. And you know, as 191 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:20,080 Speaker 2: I said, we don't condone or support substances. We want 192 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:22,560 Speaker 2: people who use it to use it safely and not 193 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 2: come to harm. 194 00:11:23,520 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I agree with you. Well, thank you so very 195 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 1: much for your time this morning. The Royal Australian College 196 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:33,560 Speaker 1: of GPS, Alcohol and Other Drug spokesperson, Doctor Marguerite Tracy, thank. 197 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 2: You, thank you, NYE. 198 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 1: Have a good day for you two.