POLICE have issued another warning about a dangerous drug that has been linked to fatal overdoses after a scare earlier this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Monday, emergency services were called to a non-fatal overdose of a 26-year-old Moree man who is believed to have ingested Fentanyl.
Fentanyl is an opioid that is about 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine and, in May, a Moree couple were arrested for allegedly supplying the prescription drug across the town.
The investigation was triggered after dozens of reported overdoses in recent years in the Barwon area.
Barwon Superintendent Gelina Talbot said it was frightening how many locals did not know the dangers of the drug.
“Some who are abusing Fentanyl are doctor-shopping across the North West, lying about their pain needs in order to get prescriptions, others steal from family and innocent members of the community,” she said.
Strike Force Cornwalli, an operation launched earlier this year to combat the illegal supply of Fentanyl patches, has been working in conjunction with NSW Health to highlight the ongoing issue of illegal prescription drugs.
Evidence to police has revealed locals with a prescription for the Fentanyl patches are making thousands of dollars from a single script.
Superintendent Talbot said on-selling prescription drugs will attract a supply charge but the supplier could be charged with manslaughter if the recipient fatally overdoses.
“Contrary to what some drug users think, prescription drugs or pharmaceuticals are not ‘safer’ than street drugs. You have no idea how much you are taking and the next one you take may be the fatal dose,” she said.