Canberra pill-testing service finds methamphetamine in counterfeit diet pill
CanTEST has been open since July 2022 after initially being funded as a six-month pilot. (ABC News: Greg Nelson)
Canberra's drug-checking site, CanTEST, has issued a community notice after methamphetamine was found in a counterfeit diet pill.
The pill, which was an orange and grey gel capsule with the phrase DUROMINE 40 printed on the side, was obtained online and appeared legitimate to the user.
When it was bought, it was expected to contain a substance called Duromine or phentermine, which is prescribed to help reduce appetite in the treatment of obesity.
But testing and analysis confirmed the only detected active ingredient was methamphetamine.
Steve Imrie is the director of treatment services at Directions Health Services, where methamphetamine was recently detected in a counterfeit diet pill. (ABC News: Lottie Twyford)
'Concerned parent' brought diet pills in for testing
The pill was brought in for testing by the "concerned parent" of a young person who had been taking the drugs.
Director of treatment services at Directions Health Services, Steve Imrie, said the parent had linked behaviour changes to the weight loss pills.
"They noticed more signs of aggression and a heightened state," Mr Imrie said.
"Certainly not what they're anticipating with the weight loss pill."
While phentermine is also a stimulant, Mr Imrie said methamphetamine was much more potent.
CanTEST scientists detected methamphetamine in this pill, which was expected to be a diet pill. (Supplied: Directions Health Services)
The sample was discarded once it was revealed to not contain what was expected.
Mr Imrie agreed the explosion of the unregulated online drug market was of concern because there was no way to tell what people were really buying.
"We suggest that anyone who has a substance that they're not sure of, can come here and get tested," he said.
Drug could have led to overdose: CanTEST
CanTEST Coordinator Steph Tzanetis told ABC Radio Canberra this particular drug had been purchased from "the clear net, not the dark web".
She said taking the potent drug, methamphetamine, could have resulted in the person experiencing a stimulant overdose.
"So the signs and symptoms relating to a stimulant overdose can include things like overheating, a person could experience confusion, agitation," Ms Tzanetis said.
"Because it's a stronger stimulant, you have to be conscious of the heart health."
Ms Tzanetis encouraged people who find themselves in similar situations — such as where they were worried about a loved one taking medication — to stay calm as a first response.
"Stay informed, and avoid panic responses or any kind of stigmatisation towards people who use any type of drug," she said.
Ms Tzanetis explained while the service mostly tested illicit drugs, which was what it had primarily been set up for, it did often see people bringing in substances like steroids or performance and image-enhancing drugs.
"When it comes to something like a health supplement, or things that are promoted as a prescription, that is, you know, available online, there just [needs] to be a red flag that this may not be what they think they're getting."