<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/health" rel="" target="" title="Health"><span>Health</span></a><span> authorities are raising the alarm after around 1700 toxic poppy plants were stolen from a secret farm in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The alkaloid poppies, which are grown for the pharmaceutical industry, were taken from a regulated crop on a property in Ballarat between February 14 and 16.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Unlike regular opioid poppies, which contain sedative opiates like morphine and codeine, the alkaloid variety contains life-threatening thebaine and oripavine at dangerously high concentrations.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/crews-recover-bodies-of-9-backcountry-skiers-days-after-california-avalanche/014e5c82-ce3a-464d-92a6-8d057e0647ce" target="" title="Crews recover bodies of 9 backcountry skiers days after California avalanche"><strong><span>Crews recover bodies of 9 backcountry skiers days after California avalanche</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Thebaine does not produce pain relief, sedation or euphoria," the Victorian Health Department wrote in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Thebaine stimulates the nervous system and can lead to seizures, high body temperature, and life-threatening toxicity.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Any exposure to thebaine may cause toxicity."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/urgent-health-warning-after-1500-toxic-poppy-plants-stolen-from-secret-farm/5e35b22c-20f4-4245-b3af-6c1b35fb1f63" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Oripavine contains "tiny, trace amounts" of opioids, but can also cause agitation, seizures and "life-threatening complications at high doses".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The department warned the wider community to be vigilant of dried, powdered, or liquid poppy flower product, such as dried flower heads without petals, ground poppy-plant material or "liquid preparations" derived from poppy plants.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Between 2022 and 2023 at least 40 people in Victoria experienced life-threatening agitation, muscle twitching, fevers and seizures after drinking thebaine-contaminated poppy seed tea.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Popular drug antidote Naloxone will only reverse the opioid effects of oripavine and will not reverse thebaine toxicity or toxic stimulant effects of oripavine.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If you experience toxic drug effects or are present when someone has an unexpected reaction, seek help immediately by calling Triple Zero.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victoria Police said it "strongly discourages any handling, transport, or experimentation with the plants".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Investigations into the theft remain ongoing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline 1800 250 015</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Support for families and friends of individuals experiencing alcohol or drug dependency:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.fds.org.au/"><strong><span>Family Drug Support Australia</span></strong></a><span> </span><strong><span>24/7 Support Line – 1300 368 186</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div 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