By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Toxic opioid carfentanil linked to 15 deaths in Alberta

Dec 5, 2016 | 4:12 PM

EDMONTON – The RCMP have already warned that 20 micrograms (less than a grain of salt) of the opioid carfentanil can be fatal.

Now, Alberta Health officials confirm the drug is responsible for 15 drug overdose deaths in the last few months. Of that number, 14
occurred between September and the end of November.

Chief medical officer of health, Dr. Karen Grimsrud, has expressed deep concern over the number of deaths.

“It’s possible these individuals were not aware they were taking it. Albertans need to know that carfentanil is here – in Alberta cities and towns – and that it’s an extremely dangerous and deadly opioid. Even the smallest trace can be lethal.”

The situation isn’t helped by the fact that Alberta’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is one of only a very small number of toxicology laboratories in Canada which is capable of positively identifying carfentanil in human blood.

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Alberta Health is looking at a wide range of harm reduction strategies that cover prevention, treatment and enforcement, to help decrease harmful consequences of drug use to keep people alive. A new release listed numerous cautions:

If you are using these types of drugs:

— Don’t use them alone and make sure you are near someone who can call for help.

— Don’t mix them with other drugs or alcohol.

— It you suspect someone is overdosing, don’t wait. Dial 911 right away.

— Carry a naloxone kit. Know how to use it to save someone’s life. Make sure your buddy knows how to use it to save yours. Naloxone is a temporary fix – you still need to call 911.

— Most importantly, know there are resources available to help you whether you are using drugs for the first time or have used them frequently.

— If you’re concerned about your own or someone else’s use of illicit drugs, call the Addiction Helpline (24 hours a day, seven days a week) at 1-866-332-2322, or Health Link at 811.

The province has published a Q3 Opioid misuse report  – The report shows that between January and September of this yea, 338 Albertans died from an apparent drug overdose related to fentanyl or another opioid. 193 of these deaths (57%) were related to fentanyl and 145 (43%) were related to an opioid other than fentanyl.