2 highly toxic opioids discovered in drug stash seized by RNC

Two powerful opioids, carfentanil and 3-methylfentanyl, were discovered in a recent drug seizure, according to an RNC news release Friday.

“Even the mere presence of a grain of carfentanil can be potentially life-threatening,” said Const. James Cadigan told CBC News.

Carfentanil is 100 times stronger than fentanyl and 10,000 times stronger than morphine, according to Jane Henderson, harm reduction consultant for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Methylfentanyl is an analog substance, or secret copy, of a drug that is about 16 times more powerful than fentanyl, Henderson said.

This is the first time the RNC has discovered carfentanil and methylfentanyl in a drug seizure. However, this is not the first time these substances have appeared in the province. CBC News reported that carfentanil was the cause of one overdose death in 2018.

RNC warns about drug 100 times more potent than fentanyl – and how a single grain could be fatal

Drugs seized by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary contained carfentanil and methylfentanyl – the latter of which is up to 6,000 times more powerful than morphine. RNC Const. James Cadigan emphasizes that there is a law that protects you from criminal liability if you use drugs and experience an emergency.

“We can assume it's been circulating here ever since,” Emily Wadden, program manager at the Safe Works Access Program in St. John's, told CBC Radio on Friday.

The RNC said it believes both of these substances are being sold as fentanyl.

“It's very likely that whoever had their drugs seized and tested didn't even know what was in them,” Wadden said. “Dealers are now testing portions of their drugs to use the fact that it’s just cocaine or whatever the drug they’re looking for as a selling point.”

Henderson said a person cannot know what is in the substances when making a purchase and stressed the importance of having a naloxone kit on hand as it is a potentially life-saving tool. She also urges the public to be well-informed when using illegal substances – adding drugs does not discriminate.

Both Henderson and Wadden said the toxicity of these substances is non-airborne, meaning accidental airborne exposure is unlikely.

“If the powder could be absorbed through the skin and produce immediate effects [overdoses] “When you’re around, no one has to snort, smoke or inject,” Wadden said.

“It's a public health issue, it doesn't just affect a certain group of people. It can really affect anyone,” Henderson added.

Henderson urged people to continue administering naloxone as a temporary response to suspected opioid overdoses while waiting for emergency help to arrive.

“Naloxone can last between 30 and 90 minutes and that depends on the substance the person overdosed on,” she said.

Under the Good Samaritan Act, people who overdose or assist someone after an overdose are protected from being charged with possession of illegal substances when emergency responders arrive on the scene.

To obtain a naloxone kit, Henderson said a map of distribution centers can be found on the website Dutch government website. Safe supplies such as drug test strips, naloxone kits and more are available available from SWAP's offices in St. John's and Corner Brook or via free nationwide delivery service.

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