Five deaths in a fortnight prompt fears of powerful opioids killing ordinary Canberrans

Five deaths from opioids in a fortnight have prompted the police and drugs experts to warn Canberrans about the dangers of buying what they think are safe medical drugs off the internet - to find, too late, that they are not.

Drugs experts fear a new kind of drug much more powerful than morphine or heroin is being bought online unwittingly by Canberrans seeking sleeping tablets or painkillers.

Detective Superintendant Peta Lankester, ACT Directions Bronwyn Hendry and ACT Ambulance Services General Manager Sam Perillo warn of the dangers of opiods after five recent deaths. Picture by Karleen Minney