Synthetic opioids: warning issued in NSW after nitazenes cause cluster of overdoses

NSW Health investigating after powerful drugs detected in samples related to overdoses in Nepean Blue Mountains local health district

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

A cluster of 20 drug overdoses in New South Wales has prompted the state’s health department to issue a public warning about the danger of synthetic opioids, which are often substantially more powerful than heroin.

Called nitazenes, the drugs are often mixed into other substances such as MDMA and heroin without the user’s knowledge.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup