Unwanted Opioids Found in Crystal Meth
Opioids (heroin and synthetic opioids) have recently been detected in drugs sold as crystal meth in NSW. This unexpected mix is a reminder of how important it is to always practice harm reduction. We pulled this guide together to address the harms of getting unexpected opioids in your meth. Not only do we explore some great general harm reduction practices, but we have also included a bunch of advice from people who use meth on how they stay in light of recent alerts.
This guide isn't just about the risks; it's about empowering ourselves and our community with knowledge and strategies for safer drug use, especially when opioids may be present in meth.
Starting Low, Going Slow
The golden rule of drug use — start low and go slow — is more critical now than ever. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl or nitazenes pack a punch even in tiny amounts, making cautious dosing a must. Whether you're injecting, snorting, or smoking, taking it slow allows you to gauge the potency and effects before diving in.
Whether you're injecting, snorting, or smoking, starting with a small amount allows you to gauge the potency and effects before taking more. If you inject meth this might mean having a small “test shot”, before redosing later. You might also want to try bump a little bit first (up the nose) to see if you notice anything different (see below for symptoms of opioid intoxication and overdose). Those that snort meth should start with a small bump and wait to feel the effects before having a line. If a pipe is your preference start with just a puff or two (put less crystal in the bowl). If any signs of an opioid high or overdose are felt, you should stop use immediately!
If you feel something different from your usual buzz, stop immediately. You might feel drowsy, have a slower heart rate or slow breathing, get blurred vision or feel nauseous — these are symptoms of opioid intoxication.
Always carry naloxone and always use with other people
Anyone who uses illicit drugs should always carry naloxone because, as recent alerts show, you never know what you have and if there is something else present. Everyone who is using crystal meth or amphetamines should always have naloxone with them when they are using, know how to use it and have it easily accessible. You can get naloxone free of charge through most chemists, or through NUAA’s online NSP shop.
Naloxone is especially important for people who inject drugs. If you inject drugs, you should always have naloxone nasal spray on hand. As soon as someone starts exhibiting signs of an opioid overdose, it’s important to give them naloxone if you have some and to call an ambulance ASAP. Don’t wait for them to “sleep it off” — you need to seek medical attention for all opioid overdoses.
Always use with other people, so someone can get help or help you if something goes wrong. If someone is experiencing signs of opioid intoxication or overdose, give them naloxone if you have it on hand, and call an ambulance ASAP.
Recognising warning signs
Feeling off? Drowsy, slower heart rate, or blurred vision? These could be signs of opioid presence. Don't ignore them; they're your body's way of saying, “Hey, something's not right.” If you aren’t an opioid user, you may not be aware of what an opioid overdose looks like. It is important to know the signs of an opioid overdose, and to always keep an eye out for them, no matter what drugs you use. The most common signs of opioid overdose include:
Shallow or slow breathing
Slow heart rate
Falling asleep
Making unusual sounds (snoring, gurgling)
Blue lips and fingertips if light skinned, grey/ashen lips and fingertips if dark skinned.
Can’t be woken up
Note: Some meth users report feeling tired if they only use a little bit — this is more common in neurodiverse individuals such as those with ADD/ADHD — but if you’re feeling the downer effect strongly there’s a good chance you have something other than meth in your gear.
Think about switching up how you use
The safest way to consume amphetamine or crystal meth is to eat it or crush it up and let it dissolve under your tongue/in between your gums and your cheeks (this is known as “gumming”). Gumming will come on faster than eating it, but still may take longer than smoking or injecting to feel the effects, so if you use this route of administration make sure to wait a good half an hour before redosing. No matter how you’re consuming your product, start with a small amount before having your regular dose.
If you inject, there’s no real way to tell if there’s something other than meth in your mix. For this reason, we advise starting off snorting a small amount first to see if you notice anything different. You should also consider having a “test shot” first, maybe with a quarter or less of your mix, and seeing how it affects you before having the rest.
If you’re smoking crystal meth in a pipe, you should be able to tell pretty easily/quickly if there’s something other than crystal in the bowl. If your liquid doesn’t melt easily, changes colour to dark brown/black, or has a different smell than usual, be careful — you might have something other than meth.
If smoking with foil (crystal meth or base), it's not as easy to see if there are non-crystal cuts mixed in with your gear. Again, it’s advisable to start low and go slow. If using a straw or rolled-up foil to smoke through, just have a few puffs and see how it affects you before having more.
When snorting crystal meth, base salts or amphetamine powder/speed, it will be hard to tell whether you have something else in your drugs you don’t want until you’ve already racked up. Again — start low and go slow. Start with a small bump first and wait to see how it affects you before chopping up a line.
Remember, if there is something else in you might not be able to tell immediately. Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, carfentanyl, and nitazenes are extremely strong — you only need a tiny amount to feel the effects and even the smallest amount can lead to overdose if you’re not used to using opioids.
General harm reduction advice
For more information about safe injecting practices, see NUAA’s Safer Using Resources, and check out AIVL’s Vein Care Guide.
Don’t share smoking, snorting, or injecting equipment. Hepatitis and other blood-borne viruses can be passed on through sharing pipes, sharing notes to rack through, and sharing injecting equipment — not to mention other illnesses like infections, cold and flu viruses, and more! Everyone smoking should have their own pipe if possible, and everyone racking should use their own straw (money is not advised as it is extremely dirty). Again, the safest way to use meth and amphetamines is eating them or “gumming”.
Staying Informed and Connected
Keep up to date on drug alerts by following us on social media. Stay informed, stay connected, and most importantly, stay safe.
We hope that the problem around tainted supply goes away soon enough — no one wants something other than what they paid for in their drugs, and the risk of overdose is real. Stay safe people!