Six deaths from suspected heroin overdose in the Blue Mountains in the past two years have prompted police to launch an investigation.
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The deaths occurred between November 2015 and October 2017, and were men aged between 24 and 42, except for one 41-year-old woman from Wollongong, who was visiting the Mountains in August last year.
Three of the men were from Katoomba, the others from Blaxland and Bullaburra.
The investigation, titled Strike Force Yarrabung, will look into the source and supply of the drug.
Blue Mountains Police Detective Chief Inspector Dietmar Almer said police were investigating if the deaths are linked.
He said there was no social link – the people don’t appear to have known each other and they had died at different locations. The environment – isolation, topography, weather, time of day – did not appear to have been a factor either.
He urged people to be mindful that there is no quality control for the production of illegal substances.
“You put yourself and others at great risk when you use prohibited drugs; there is no telling what you are putting into your body,” Det Chief Insp Almer said.
“The investigation will continue as we work towards getting illicit drugs off the street. These deaths are an avoidable tragedy and we don’t like giving families devastating news that their loved one has passed away.
“We urge anyone that is aware of suspicious or illegal activity to not be afraid to come forward by contacting local police or Crime Stoppers. Your information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.”
Police have urged any person suffering from prohibited drug addiction to seek treatment.
Services are available from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Drug and Alcohol Service on 1300 661 050.
NSW Health advises that Naloxone, a life-saving medicine that can reverse opioid overdose, can be prescribed to a patient by a medical doctor and subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or purchased at a community pharmacy for a fee.