Another deadly nitazene detected as Queensland’s drug warning system shuts down
The Queensland pill testing service “CheQpoint” has detected a third sample of nitazene, a powerful and highly toxic synthetic opioid, just days before the service is due to shut its doors.
Nitazenes are hundreds of times more potent than morphine and are driving overdose deaths across Australia. These drugs are often sold as legitimate pharmaceuticals — leaving people unaware that they are consuming a potentially lethal substance.
But with CheQpoint’s final day of service this Friday, Queensland is set to lose its only early warning system capable of detecting and alerting the public to the presence of these dangerous drugs.
This latest detection brings the total to three nitazene finds since November 2024, all involving counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs. CheQpoint has also detected multiple samples of novel benzodiazepines like bromazolam—another drug linked to a wave of overdoses in Australia and around the world.
Unlike other jurisdictions, Queensland does not currently have an overdose monitoring system or a public drug alert network. Pill testing is the only real-time system capable of identifying toxic drugs before they cause harm.
CheQpoint’s 12-month pilot was funded by the Queensland Government, with an independent evaluation due at the end of May. However, the service is being shut down this week despite continued detections of high-risk substances.
Over the past year, CheQpoint has tested well over 1000 drug samples and supported nearly 700 individuals with free, confidential health advice. One in every ten samples contained an unexpected psychoactive substance, with one in every seven people accessing the service disposing of their drugs after talking with a health professional.
Cameron Francis, CEO of The Loop Australia said:
“There is no other system in Queensland that can detect a drug like nitazenes before someone overdoses.”
“Queensland is losing one of the only tools we have to prevent deaths—right when these drugs are starting to appear more frequently”
“We shouldn’t have to wait for someone to die before we alert the public to these dangerous drugs.”
“People in Queensland deserve a public health system that warns them about what’s out there—not one that leaves them in the dark.”
Quotes attributable to AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim:
“It is deeply disappointing that the government has cancelled Queensland’s life-saving pill testing service.”
“This decision eliminates our only early warning system to detect harmful substances and reduce the risk of overdose.”
“CheQpoint has successfully and repeatedly detected highly potent synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, as frequently as just last week.”
“We know more people are turning to cheaper, unregulated medicines which puts them at high risk and cancelling this vital public health service now makes no sense.”
“We urge the government to reinstate the service and keep Queenslanders safe.”
Quotes attributable to QuIVAA Chief Executive Officer Emma Kill:
"Currently, without a drug checking service in Queensland, we are unable to identify and detect harmful substances in real-time."
“This absence of an early warning system prevents us from alerting the public to the risks associated with specific drugs. As a result, we can only report overdoses and other harmful incidents after they have already occurred, limiting our ability to take proactive action and protect individuals from harm."
For media inquiries, please contact:
| Cameron Francis Chief Executive Officer The Loop Australia cam@theloop.org.au 0438 179 791 |
AMA Queensland Media
|
Emma Kill Chief Executive Officer QuIVAA emmak@quivaa.org.au 0410 770 351 |
About CheQpoint:
CheQpoint is a collaboration between QuIHN, QuIVAA and The Loop Australia.
CheQpoint operates free, confidential drug checking services at two locations.
Gold Coast: Thursdays 2pm-6pm, QuIHN Burleigh Heads, Shop 12/89-99 West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads
Brisbane: Fridays 2pm-6pm, QuIHN Bowen Hills, 1 Hamilton Place, Bowen Hills
About the organisations:
QuIHN Ltd is a not-for-profit charity providing a range of specialist social and health services relating to alcohol and other drug use and mental health since 2005. Operating Queensland-wide, QuIHN provides programs across a continuum of care comprising of harm reduction programs, therapeutic programs, and primary medical care. At QuIHN we envision a world where all people who use substances can reach their full potential and the health and well-being outcomes of our communities are maximised.
The Loop Australia is a charitable organisation established in 2018 to deliver pill testing services in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. The Loop Australia is the sister organisation of The Loop UK, which have been conducting pill testing since 2013.
QuIVAA Inc is a charitable organisation with a mission to advocate, educate, and raise awareness about the issues facing people who use drugs to enable them to live healthy lives, free from stigma and discrimination. QuIVAA also aims to develop, support, and promote policies, training, and programs that support and advocate for equal health and human rights for people who use drugs in Queensland.
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