Drugs Project

Toxic chemicals misrepresented as an opioid in Waikato region High Alert | An early warning system for dangerous drugs

DHDP will be closed for Matariki public holiday on Friday 28 June, but all our ED machines will be operating with a 4444-pin number. Enjoy the long weekend everyone :)

Naloxone saves lives! This powerful opioid antagonist binds to receptors in the brain and temporarily blocks the effects of any opioid consumed so you can call 111. If used correctly, it is 99% effective at preventing death from opioid overdose.

Knowing when and how to administer naloxone is key in using it to save lives. Luckily, the NZNEP is here to help. Come into any of our branches today- we’ll teach you how to use naloxone and give you a pack containing everything you need.

No matter what drugs you are taking, opioids could be present and having naloxone could save your life. Minimise your risk- carry naloxone.

Find out more: nznep.org.nz

Apologies but due to illness, there will be no HepC clinic at the Wellington Needle Exchange today.
Have a lovely weekend everyone :)

❗ Your ket might not be ket! ❗ High Alert have put out a notification about a ketamine analogue found by drug checkers in Wellington.

More info: https://www.highalert.org.nz/alerts-and-notifications/ketamine-analogue-sold-as-ketamine-in-the-wellington-region/

This analogue is known as 2-fluoro-2-oxy-PCE, 2FE-NENDCK, or CanKet (because it was first found in Canberra in 2022).

CanKet is similar in structure to ketamine but is likely to have different effects and dosages. The effects might be more unexpected and unpredictable.

As always, drug checking is the best way to find out what's in your drugs! Find a drug checking clinic near you on thelevel.org.nz

Our top tips for staying safer if you're taking ketamine are:
👉 get your drugs checked
👉 avoid using alone
👉 avoid mixing with other drugs
👉 avoid using more after your first dose

Call 111 if you or someone you're with:
🔺 is very agitated, anxious, paranoid or manic for longer than 15 mins
🔺 has a very fast heartbeat
🔺 has tremors, convulsions or seizures
🔺 is losing consciousness
🔺 has trouble breathing
🔺 or has chest pain.

CanKet may cause people to be in a k-hole for a longer time than ketamine. Check they're okay by talking to them loudly or tapping their collarbone. Remember that even if someone is k-holing and can't talk, they should still be able to open their eyes, or blink when you ask. Put them in the stable side position (recovery position), stay with them and keep checking that they're breathing. If you think they're losing consciousness or having trouble breathing, call 111.

For more info, head to: https://www.highalert.org.nz/alerts-and-notifications/ketamine-analogue-sold-as-ketamine-in-the-wellington-region/

Currently using the pharmacy and alternate provider needle exchange programme? There are some big changes headed your way! Instead of offering a range of individual equipment, we will now be distributing six pre-made packs to better meet your needs. From June 2024, pharmacies and alternate providers will offer these packs for FREE – just ask for the color you need.

For more information, visit our website at https://www.nznep.org.nz/pharmacy-partner-programme

The following is a list of packs we will have available:

1. Green

10 x 3ml syringes
10 x 27g x ½ needles
10 x alcohol prep pads
1 x 300ml sharps container
1 x information leaflet

2. Yellow

10 x 3ml syringes
10 x 23g x 1 ½ needles
10 x 18g x 1 ½ needles
10 x alcohol prep pads
1 x 300ml sharps container
1 x information leaflet

3. Blue

10 x 1ml Insulin syringes with attached 29g needle
10 x alcohol prep pads
1 x 300ml sharps container
1 x information leaflet

4. Pink

5 x 10ml syringes
5 x 26g x ½ needles
5 x alcohol prep pads
1 x 700ml sharps container
1 x information leaflet.

5. Red

2 x 3ml syringes
2 x 27g x ½ needles
2 x alcohol prep pads
1 x 300ml sharps container
1 x sterile water
1 x maxicup
1 x information leaflet.

6. Orange

2 x 10ml syringes
2 x 18g x ½ blunt needles
2 x 25g butterflies
2 x alcohol prep pads
1 x 300ml sharps container
1 x information leaflet.

:)

What psychedelic assisted therapy could mean for m**h use — Users News (UN) Australian researchers have just completed the worlds first study into psychedelic assisted psychotherapies (PAT) for m**hamphetamine use disorder. But what is PAT? And how could it change the treatment landscape?

https://pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/news/pharmac-supplies-naloxone-to-needle-exchange-sites We are finally getting there :)

Pharmac supplies naloxone to needle exchange sites “New Zealand, touch wood, has not had the kind of statistics they’re seeing in places like the USA or Canada with opioid overdoses – so we’ve been lucky,” starts Carl Greenwood, the General Manager of the Lower North Island Needle Exchange Programme.

Drug checking continues at 233A Willis St, Tuesday to Saturday's. Tuesday and Friday the hours are 12pm to 7pm, Wednesday and Thursdays are from 11am to 5pm and on Saturdays 1.15pm to 4.45pm, free confidential and anonymous service, harm reduction at its finest :)

Wishing everyone a wonderful Festive Season, travel safe and look after yourselves. All DHDP branches will be closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday's over the break and will be on reduced hours for the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday predominately 11am to 3pm but check in with local branch. Back to normal Monday 8 January 2024.
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year :)

He**in sold as ketamine in Auckland region High Alert | An early warning system for dangerous drugs

A podcast from National Radio;

Concerns raised about powerful synthetic opioid A warning is out that an opioid even more potent than fentanyl is circulating the country. The Drug Foundation says Nitazenes, a family of synthetic opioids, were first reported in Aotearoa in October last year. Kathryn speaks to Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm and psychiatrist and add...

Happy Halloween Everyone, Wellington branch looking very spooky, come in and check us out. Drug checking clinic running today until 7pm :)

Happy with this article although I don't like the term "users" would have preferred the term community or people. Thanks to everyone who took the time to be interviewed. 🙂

Inside the front door to New Zealand’s injecting drug users After 35 years of preventing infection, New Zealand’s globally pioneering needle exchange network is having a shake-up, after a critical review.

Remembering those lost to us through an Overdose.
International Overdose Awareness Day
Feeling the love and passion from DCM Wellington NZ Drug Foundation Wellington City Council and huge thanks to everyone who came along to support :)

Great turnout at today's International Overdose Awareness Day Commemoration in Te Aro park 💜 Over 50 people gathered to remember those who have passed and to discuss ways we can prevent overdose deaths.

Encouragingly, there is enough common ground across the political parties that progress is possible for overdose prevention. Read more on that here: https://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/news-media-and-events/party-positions-on-drug-overdoses-show-cross-party-progress-possible/

Thanks to DCM Wellington, NZ Needle Exchange Programme and Wellington City Council for collaborating on this event.

International Overdose Awareness Day;
The NZ Drug Foundation, Needle Exchange, DCM and Wellington City Council are hosting an event in Te Aro Park on Thursday 31 August at 12pm.
There will be an acknowledgement of those who have died, waiata, special speakers, kai, and a chance for kōrero.
Everyone Welcome :)

We are very excited that we are now providing a more permanent Drug Checking service in Wellington. Drug Checking will now be happening Tuesday and Friday 12pm to 7pm, Wednesday and Thursday 11am to 7pm and Saturday 1.15 to 4.45pm. Harm reduction at its finest at 233A Willis St 🙂