Fentanyl has made its way onto Toronto streets and with a growing number of reported overdoses, Global News reporter Erica Vella took questions from viewers and posed them to Dr. Harry Vedelago, addiction physician at ACT clinics in Toronto and Hamilton, for some answers.
“What is fentanyl and what effects does it have on people?”
– Nico, Toronto
“Fentanyl is what we call a synthetic opiate. That means one that is manufactured. Its effect is far more powerful than the regular opiates,” Vedelago said. “Basically, it’s used for pain relief … however, if it’s used improperly it can cause overdose. It affects part of the brain that controls your respiration — your ability to breathe — and it depresses that to the point that you stop breathing and die.”
READ MORE: 5 drug overdoses in 2 days linked to bootleg fentanyl in South Eastern Ontario
“Where are people getting fentanyl from?”
– Francesca, Toronto
READ MORE: Fentanyl suspected after 3 fatal overdoses in Durham Region amid recent spike: police
Why are people putting fentanyl in cocaine and other drugs?
– Drew Behm, Alberta
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If a drug is potentially laced with fentanyl, are there any early warning signs that you could be experiencing an overdose and are there any potential actions you can take to stop it before it gets worse?
– Josh, Toronto
Vedelago added users can also use the antidote medication naloxone to help slow down a potential overdose.
“The naloxone kits are injectable blockers of opiates. They are very effective …but they are only a stop-gap measure — it buys you time to be able to call emergency and get medical attention.”
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