The people who took the substance believe it was cocaine, but it was likely an opioid. File photo. Photo: 123RF
Three people were hospitalised in the Wairarapa over the weekend after taking something that they thought was cocaine.
The three people received treatment and are expected to make a full recovery, said police.
A High Alert has been published by Drug Information and Alerts Aotearoa New Zealand (DIANZ) for the white powder.
Detective Inspector John van den Heuvel said police were notified after paramedics responded to reports three people had become ill at a residential address in Tinui.
Police searched the property and found some cannabis and a firearm. A man has appeared in court over these matters.
Van den Heuvel said it was believed the unknown substance was likely to be an opioid.
"Police are now working to establish the source of the illicit substance, and to prevent any further harm to the community.
"We would like to hear from anyone who might have information about this substance or its origins, or anyone involved in its distribution."
In the High Alert notification, DIANZ said the symptoms from ingesting this substance are consistent with an opioid overdose, and those who took the drugs responded well to naloxone - a drug that reverses opioid overdose.
"It's currently not known how widely this substance may be circulating. There are concerns people may already have this substance, or it may continue to be sold as cocaine in the Wairarapa or other regions. People consuming this substance believing it to be cocaine are at high risk of experiencing serious harm, including death," the alert reads.
DIANZ said it was possible this could be related to a synthetic opioid such as nitazenes or fentanyl, which are very potent and have been linked to deaths in New Zealand.
DIANZ said people should take extreme caution with any white powders, and should get drugs checked to minimise the risk.
The signs of an opioid overdose include becoming unresponsive, breathing slowly or not at all, skin going pale and body going limp, fingernails and lips turning purple or blue, vomiting or gurgling, pupils becoming small, or a slowed or stopped heartbeat.
