Vancouver police are issuing a warning about the dangers of a synthetic drug that’s causing a spike in the number of overdose deaths.
Fentanyl is a synthetic narcotic that is 50 to 100 times more toxic than other drugs like morphine. Illicit fentanyl has been showing up in liquid, powder and pill form. It can be masked in virtually any consumable product.
“We are finding fentanyl cut into pretty much any drug you can buy on the street, so heroin, marijuana, cocaine, oxycodone,” says Constable Sandra Glendinning with VPD. “They are not realizing what they are taking and that’s what’s leading to these deaths.”
It is usually prescribed to control severe pain and the dose must be carefully monitored to avoid accidental overdose.
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Police say there is a particularly high risk for people who have never used drugs or for people who may mistakenly use fentanyl thinking it is something else.
Over the past three years, there has been an increase in the number of illicit drug overdose deaths throughout the province, in which fentanyl was detected.
There were 336 illicit drug overdose deaths in B.C. in 2014. Fentanyl was detected in approximately one quarter of these deaths. That’s compared to five per cent of deaths in 2012.
Police say overdoses are occurring in drug users from all segments of society. Vancouver, Nanaimo, Surrey, Maple Ridge, Prince George, Langley and Fort St. John are the communities with the largest number of deaths where fentanyl was detected.
The three highest mortality areas are Vancouver with 29 deaths, Nanaimo with 18 deaths and Surrey with 15.
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Investigators say they are not sure where illicit fentanyl is coming from, but there is an increased amount of fentanyl in circulation, and that is why they are warning anyone using drugs to be cautious.
Early signs of a fentanyl overdose include severe sleepiness, slow heartbeat, trouble breathing, colds skin and trouble walking or talking.
If any of these signs are observed, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Those who choose to use drugs are warned not to use drugs alone, start with a small amount and call 9-1-1 immediately in case of overdose.
Vancouver police are expected to announce a series of arrests in a major fentanyl bust on Tuesday.
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