Overview

• Queensland Health confirmed n‑pyrrolidino protonitazene and protonitazene were detected in toxicology and tablet samples linked to a coronial and police investigation in the state’s south‑east.
• The pills were described as pale yellow, teddy‑bear shaped tablets stamped with the letter “Y”.
• At least one death has been reported in connection with the detection, with some coverage describing it as the second synthetic‑opioid fatality in Queensland this year, as inquiries continue.
• Health officials warned nitazenes are extremely potent opioids capable of life‑threatening toxicity in small amounts, and said effects should respond to naloxone, which is available free through the Take Home Naloxone program.
• The alert follows the defunding and subsequent legal ban on community pill‑testing services, drawing criticism from harm‑reduction advocates who say alerts are reactive, as federal police caution nitazenes are often sold as other drugs or counterfeit medications.