On April 1st the FDA announced a new ‘tamper proof’ form of prescription opiate Oxycontin, would replace the known formula. Workers throughout the AOD sector have been concerned about what this means for people who inject, snort and smoke the tablets. ANEX has developed Victoria's first comprehensive, harm minimisation response to the announcement.

Drawing on early research from the USA (where the new formulation of Oxycontin has been around for three years), ANEX has outlined possible risks for people who attempt to inject or snort the new ‘gelling’ formula and emergency symptoms to watch out for. Amongst their recommendations;

• Injecting, smoking and snorting probably won’t work and probably has serious risks.
• Word young people up about overdose risk. Methods for ‘extracting’ opiates from the tablet can be found on several user forums. If attempting a new method advise, young people to always assume a high potency and ‘taste’ a small amount first.
• Be prepared for some young people to consider switching to other opiates.  have the conversation before this happens and give them good information about using safely.
• Any young person experiencing problems with breathing or vision should seek urgent medical help.