The drug carfentanil has been linked to 15 drug overdose deaths in Alberta, including 14 over the last three months. The synthetic opioid is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times stronger than morphine.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Doctor Karen Grimsrud says she’s deeply concerned about the increasing amount of deaths from carfentanil, and says it’s possible the victim didn’t know 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.”
People who use opioid drugs are encourage not to use them alone, and to make sure whoever’s with you has a naloxone kit and knows how to use it. The take-home kits are available at pharmacies, and can reverse an overdose.
