The NWT’s chief public health officer says carfentanil and other fentanyl analogues have now been detected in all forms of cocaine in Hay River.
Previously, the drug had only been detected in a specific colour of cocaine, however recent testing shows that it is present in all forms of of the drug, including powdered and rock forms, an advisory published Wednesday stated.
Carfentanil, a highly toxic synthetic opioid, was detected in cocaine for the first time in the NWT in October of last year.
The drug is considered to be some 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
“The presence of carfentanil in illicit drugs is cause for concern, as the relative strength of this drug could lead to an increase in overdoses and overdose-related deaths,” the advisory stated.
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In November, members of Hay River’s healthy communities committee said emergency responders received a record number of calls the previous month, the majority of which were medical in nature.
A report provided by the town’s protective services department at the time said it responded to 10 drug overdose cases in just eight days, something the department attributed to carfentanil in the community.
The advisory said people should contact 911 or a community health centre immediately if they suspect someone is having an overdose.
Naloxone kits – which can help reverse an opioid overdose – are available for free in Healthbox vending machines across the NWT, including at Hay River’s community centre.
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Minutes from the last healthy communities committee meeting in May indicate naloxone kits were the fourth most requested item from the Healthbox vending machine in Hay River, behind socks, toothbrushes and condoms.
Naloxone kits are also available at hospitals and health centres across the territory.
The advisory warned that multiple doses of Naloxone may be required if someone has consumed carfentanil.
The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, a federal law, protects those involved in overdoses from being charged with possession of a controlled substance.
