Queensland's police and Crime and Corruption Commission have joined forces to attempt to get a highly dangerous mystery drug off Gold Coast streets ahead of Schoolies.
The two agencies announced on Wednesday they would work together to identify traffickers and suppliers of the drug, which has caused users to hallucinate and act violently.
Up to 16 people were hospitalised after taking the mystery drug on the Gold Coast at the weekend, including visiting Victorian footballer, Riki Stephens, who is fighting for his life in hospital.
Investigators believe it's no coincedence the mystery drug, which could be flakka, has emerged ahead of the Gold Coast 600 motor race and Schoolies.
Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said police would know by late on Thursday what the substance was.
CCC executive director crime Kathleen Florian said it could either be a traditional drug in high purity, a synthetic drug or a combination of both.
"The people who have actually taken it have described it as an extremely frightening experience," she said.
Ms Florian said the CCC would begin coercive hearings to determine the source of the drug amid concerns suppliers would again sell it once media coverage died down.
"This is a very unusual step for us," she said.
"We do conduct these sorts of hearings on a regular basis, but we very rarely go overt with it or tell people about it."
Suppliers and traffickers of the drug could face specific organised crime offences.
Mr Codd warned people not to experiment with the drug and urged parents to talk with their children about the dangers of drug use ahead of Schoolies.
"There is no safe use of these drugs. You are rolling the dice," he said.
