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In mid-February, alkaloid poppies cultivated for pharmaceutical purposes were stolen from a controlled crop located in Ballarat. The theft occurred between February 14 and 16.
These poppies differ significantly from standard opioid varieties, which are known for containing sedative compounds like morphine and codeine. Alkaloid poppies are rich in thebaine and oripavine, both of which are present in concentrations that pose serious health risks.
The Victorian Health Department has issued a cautionary statement emphasizing that “thebaine does not offer pain relief, sedation, or produce euphoria.”
Instead, thebaine acts as a stimulant on the nervous system, with potential effects that include seizures, elevated body temperature, and severe toxicity, which can be life-threatening.
The department further warned that “any exposure to thebaine may result in toxic reactions.”
Oripavine contains “tiny, trace amounts” of opioids, but can also cause agitation, seizures and “life-threatening complications at high doses”.
The department warned the wider community to be vigilant of dried, powdered, or liquid poppy flower product, such as dried flower heads without petals, ground poppy-plant material or “liquid preparations” derived from poppy plants.
Between 2022 and 2023 at least 40 people in Victoria experienced life-threatening agitation, muscle twitching, fevers and seizures after drinking thebaine-contaminated poppy seed tea.
Popular drug antidote Naloxone will only reverse the opioid effects of oripavine and will not reverse thebaine toxicity or toxic stimulant effects of oripavine.
If you experience toxic drug effects or are present when someone has an unexpected reaction, seek help immediately by calling Triple Zero.
Victoria Police said it “strongly discourages any handling, transport, or experimentation with the plants”.
Investigations into the theft remain ongoing.
National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline 1800 250 015
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