A fentanyl analogue invented in 1960s research labs has been detected in the Northwest Territories for the first time, officials said on Friday.
Fentanyl is already one of the most toxic opioids in circulation in Canada, responsible for a significant share of the current drug crisis affecting communities in the NWT and elsewhere.
Parafluorofentanyl is a fentanyl analogue – essentially, a drug similar to fentanyl – first created “for research purposes in the 1960s” that was never intended for human use, the office of the territory’s chief public health officer, Dr Kami Kandola, said on Friday.
An orange-brown powder taken from a vehicle stopped while driving along Highway 3 to Yellowknife in late July turns out to have tested positive for parafluorofentanyl and regular fentanyl. The results were reported to the NWT by Health Canada on Thursday.
“Parafluorofentanyl is now appearing as a dangerous illicit drug in Canada and the USA,” the territory warned in a Friday advisory. The drug has been documented spreading across North America in recent years.
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“Fentanyl and other related synthetic compounds are extremely toxic and can cause immediate and unexpected overdose, even in frequent users with high drug tolerance. Even small amounts can lead to overdose and death. People who use substances can never be certain if the illicit drugs they buy contain these substances,” the advisory continued.
“The public is warned not to touch or handle any suspect substances. Unintentional exposure to pure fentanyl or its analogues – through touching, ingesting or inhaling – can cause serious harm, including death.”
If you suspect an overdose, call an ambulance or your local health centre. More advice is available on the GNWT’s website.
