One person has died and two others went to hospital this weekend in what Winnipeg police say is a possible fentanyl overdose.
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The odourless and tasteless narcotic is extremely potent with as little as two milligrams of fentanyl enough to cause overdose and death. “Something can happen within seconds where you’re effectively becoming unconscious, going into a coma”, he stressed at a news conference.
Police would not provide any more details on the conditions of the victims, but said police across Canada are often at a disadvantage when it comes to trying to collaboratively work to prevent fentanyl-related deaths.
Dr. Matthew Young of the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse tells 680 CJOB that’s why they believe there have been so many deaths.
Drug squad unit commander inspector Howie Page warns people to stay away from the drug saying “we’re now seeing fentanyl combined with other drugs like knock off oxycontin pills”.
Fentanyl is occasionally used to cut cocaine or heroine, but Carver said street drugs may also be unintentionally “contaminated” with it at times. He says that’s not what is getting into the hands of drug users.
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Police have ruled out fentanyl as a factor in a third overdose last weekend.
