Saskatoon police say use of new, dangerous opioid difficult to track
Saskatoon Police Service says that the use and presence of potent new synthetic opioids known as nitazenes are difficult to track and monitor.
"The different analogs are often only detected after samples of seized synthetic opioids are sent to Health Canada for analysis. Synthetic opioids typically contain numerous substances that act to replicate the effects of traditional heroin; nitazene is one of many additives that, when combined with fentanyl, can create a lethal combination resistant to naloxone," spokesperson Joshua Grella said in a statement Wednesday.
"As always, we would remind members of the public that any drug that is not prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist can result in serious injury or death. Further, we encourage the public to familiarize themselves with and tell others about the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act which provides some legal protection to those who experience or witness an overdose and seek emergency help."
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction this week warned that nitazenes are a rising presence in the drug supply of potent synthetic opioids.
Nitazenes are often more potent than fentanyl and appear unexpectedly in drugs assumed to contain other types of opioids like fentanyl, oxycodone and non-medical benzodiazepines, the centre says.
The rise coincides with an increase in prevalence of benzodiazepines, which are often used as sedatives and tranquillizers.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan issued an advisory last November warning of the first detection of such a drug in the Saskatoon area.
This type of substance was only detected in less than one per cent of samples analyzed by Health Canada in 2021 — which four times the levels detected in 2020, the substance use centre said.
"One of the purposes of these alerts is not necessarily to put them out when the house is burning down, but more when there's a spark that got out of the fireplace," said Sarah Konefal, research and policy analyst at the centre.
- With files from Erika Ibrahim, The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Gangs netting up to US$3 trillion a year as Southeast Asia human trafficking becomes a global crisis, Interpol says
Human trafficking-fuelled fraud is exploding in Southeast Asia with organized crime rings raking in close to US$3 trillion in illicit revenue annually, the head of Interpol has said in comments that reveal the huge profits being earned by cartels.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Canada's real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December, Statistics Canada said Thursday.