Deadly drug hits North Bay

It seems it had to happen sooner or later.

The Health Unit is warning that the deadly opioid carfentanil is suspected in North Bay. This would be the first unconfirmed case of carfentanil overdose in the area.

A patient came to the North Bay Regional Health Centre emergency department experiencing unfamiliar effects after injecting what they believed to be cocaine. Very large doses of the reversal agent naloxone, also known as narcan, were successfully used to combat the overdose.

Though the person did not have any initial signs of distress, the patient quickly had difficulty breathing and became unconscious.

“The public needs to be aware that carfentanil cannot be detected by sight, smell or taste, and even the smallest amount, as little as 20mcg (micrograms. the Health Unit has corrected its original release.) of the substance, can be lethal” explains Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid and is considered amongst the most powerful on the planet. It’s not intended for use on humans.  

“We are warning the public that there is a lethal street drug circulating locally. It is behaving like carfentanil but has yet to be confirmed. One overdose has already occurred and the patient is being treated in hospital. If you choose to do drugs - take precautions. Do not do drugs alone. Carry and know how to use a naloxone kit. If your high feels unusual, call 911.”

The Health Unit is warning drug users, including recreational users, of the following:

• If using drugs, have someone available who can call for help.
• Test by injecting a small amount first, then go slow.
• Call 911 immediately if something doesn’t feel right.
• If someone has decreased breathing, call 911 and give naloxone.
• Do not assume your drugs are carfentanil free - any drug could be mixed with a lethal amount of carfentanil.

Dr. Tim Percival, Chief of Emergency Medicine at the hospital stresses that naloxone kits, while effective in most opioid overdose situations, are no match for the deadly effects of carfentanil. “All suspected cases of carfentanil overdoses should be seen in the emergency department,” warns Dr. Percival.

“Drug addicts and recreational users alike have died from fentanyl overdoses. In the illegal drug trade, fentanyl, in powder form, is often mixed into other drugs like cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and oxycodone," warns Police cheif Shawn Devine. "Because you can’t smell it, taste it or see it, many have died without even being aware that they were taking fentanyl. New types of fentanyl compounds are emerging on the black market. These are especially alarming because they are resistant to medications that reverse the effects of overdoses."

Devine advises parents and caregivers to educate their children about the dangers of taking any street drug.

Stacey Mayhall, the Executive Director of the AIDS Committee of North Bay added, “We are concerned for the health and well-being of our community. We strongly encourage a harm reduction response to drug use so that all people in our community have access to safe, non-judgemental support. Naloxone anti-opioid overdose kits and training are available at the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area and local pharmacies."

Carfentanil is 100 times more toxic than fentanyl and 10,000 times more toxic than morphine and is used as a tranquilizer for large animals such as elephants and horses.

Naloxone kits are available at the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area and local pharmacies.