NSW Health and police are warning people in Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast about high‑dose MDMA (ecstasy) tablets circulating in the region ahead of the summer event season. Authorities say these tablets contain substantially more MDMA than typical tablets, increasing the risk of serious illness or death.
Laboratory testing by NSW Health Pathology’s Forensic & Analytical Science Service (FASS) Illicit Drugs Analysis Unit found some tablets contain more than 200 mg of MDMA (for example, samples measured at about 216 mg), compared with a more typical tablet dose of roughly 80–100 mg. Health officials say these high‑dose tablets can be difficult to distinguish from standard tablets and can cause severe agitation, raised body temperature, seizures, irregular heart rhythm and death.
NSW Health and local community health organisations, including Healthy North Coast, are urging anyone who feels unwell after taking a substance to seek medical help immediately. NSW Health emphasises that people will not be prosecuted for seeking emergency healthcare for themselves or a friend.
Officers from the Coffs/Clarence Police District are asking residents to report any information about illegal drug supply (for example, to Crime Stoppers) to help keep the community safe. Police say they are increasing their presence at local events to reduce harm and to disrupt local supply chains.
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