Health authorities are warning a white powder being sold in Melbourne as cocaine contains a potentially deadly opioid that is more than 100 times more potent than heroin.
Victoria's Department of Health has issued a drug alert for cocaine contaminated with protonitazene, which is an extremely potent novel synthetic opioid, which can increase the risk of life-threatening overdose.
"There have been recent serious harms in Melbourne associated with a white powder sold as cocaine that contained protonitazene," the department said in a statement.
"The product appears to produce strong adverse effects such as loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, and life-threatening hypoxia (insufficient oxygen for normal functioning).
"Cocaine and protonitazene are very different substances. Cocaine produces stimulant effects, whereas protonitazene produces sedative effects and may lead to opioid overdose.
"Using protonitazene with depressants such as alcohol, GHB or depressant drugs (such as Xanax or Valium) increases the risk of overdose."
Signs of opioid overdose include breathing slowly and reduced consciousness along with tiny pupils in some cases.
"Naloxone is an easy-to-use medication that can reverse opioid overdose – it is safe to use even if you are not sure whether someone has taken opioids," the health department said.
"Naloxone can be accessed free of charge at participating pharmacies, needle and syringe programs and the medically supervised injecting centre."
For support call the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015.
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<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/someone-inserting-a-lotto-max-ticket-into-a-validator-machine-illustrative.jpg?id=53717260&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>The <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/lotto-max-winning-numbers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lotto Max winning numbers</a> for Tuesday, October 8 are in, and it's time to see if you're about to be a millionaire!</p><p>The <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/lotto-max" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lotto Max</a> jackpot continues to rise this week, and even though it's nowhere near its $80 million peak, $55 million is still a life-changing amount. On top of that, there are four additional Maxmillions prizes to be won for this draw, each worth a cool $1 million.</p><p>Got your tickets ready? Let's take a look at the latest results and see if this could be your lucky day.</p><h3>What are the Lotto Max winning numbers for Tuesday, October 8?</h3><br/><p> The Lotto Max winning numbers for the Tuesday, October 8 draw are: <strong>10</strong>, <strong>11</strong>, <strong>13</strong>, <strong>20</strong>, <strong>22</strong>, <strong>27</strong> and <strong>48</strong>. The bonus number is<strong> 21</strong>.
</p><p>While no one managed to claim the $55 million jackpot this time around, 31 players came close by matching six of the seven numbers, each snagging a prize of $6,542.50.</p><p> As for Maxmillions, these were the winning numbers:</p><ul><li>02-06-12-19-22-31-45</li><li>03-15-19-29-40-43-48</li><li>05-15-30-32-40-42-46</li><li>10-16-24-27-29-35-50</li></ul><p>With no jackpot winner this time around, the prize will roll over to Friday, October 11, with an estimated $60 million up for grabs, plus six Maxmillions worth $1 million each. You've got until 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday to get your tickets for that draw.</p><h3>What were the Lotto Max winning numbers for Friday, October 4?</h3><br/><p>The winning numbers for Lotto Max's Friday, October 4 were <strong>02</strong>, <strong>09</strong>, <strong>20</strong>, <strong>27</strong>, <strong>40</strong>, <strong>45</strong> and <strong>49</strong>. Plus,<strong> 50 </strong>was the bonus number. </p><p>That draw had two Maxmillions up for grabs, with the following numbers:</p><ul><li>08-10-17-21-31-37-50</li><li>10-17-27-31-44-45-47</li></ul><p>Although the $50 million jackpot went unclaimed, someone in Ontario scored big with the second-place prize, taking home $224,079.50 by matching six numbers and the bonus. So if you haven't checked your Friday ticket yet, now's the time to do it!</p><h3>How does Lotto Max work?</h3><br/><p>Lotto Max is one of Canada's biggest lottery games, with draws taking place every Tuesday and Friday.</p><p>Each $5 play gives you three sets of seven numbers ranging from 1 to 50. To score a prize, you need to match three to seven numbers in one set with the numbers drawn. Some prize tiers also use a bonus number, which is picked alongside the regular numbers.</p><p>The prize amounts vary based on ticket sales and are split between winners in each prize category. Here's a general idea of what you can expect for matching numbers:</p><ul><li>7/7 (jackpot) — an average of $47.5 million</li><li>6/7 plus bonus — an average of $194,405</li><li>6/7 — an average of $4,629 </li><li>5/7 plus bonus — an average of $926 </li><li>5/7 — an average of $105 </li><li>4/7 plus bonus — an average of $50 </li><li>4/7 — $20 fixed prize</li><li>3/7 plus bonus — $20 fixed prize</li><li>3/7 — free play </li></ul><p>The Lotto Max jackpot starts at $10 million and can grow as high as $80 million if it's not won. Once the jackpot reaches $50 million, Maxmillions are added — additional $1 million prizes that players can win.</p><p>All three sets of numbers on your $5 ticket are entered into the main draw, and if there are Maxmillions, those are included too. To win a Maxmillions prize, you'll need to match all seven numbers in a set.</p><p>Tickets can be purchased until 10:30 p.m. ET on the night of the draw.</p><p>The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 33,294,800, but your chances of winning any prize are roughly 1 in 7.</p><p>Good luck, Canada!</p><p><em>If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, refer to <a href="https://aidejeu.ca/en/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">these resources available across Quebec</a>. Help is available.</em></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
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