An opioid 25 times stronger than fentanyl shows crisis is worsening: experts – GLOBAL

February 13, 2024

An Ontario mayor declared a state of emergency after nearly 20 people overdosed in 24 hours.

And Quebec City health authorities have issued new warnings after detecting an opioid 25 times stronger than fentanyl disguised as prescription oxycodone.

Experts say both events demonstrate worsening trends in Canada’s drug supply and opioid crisis, even as they caution that focusing too closely on a new drug or single event misses the broader picture – that the death toll continues to rise.

“We’ve known for years that the drug supply that’s sold on the streets is toxic. We’ve known for years that it’s unpredictable,” said Dr. Alexander Caudarella, a family physician focusing on addictions treatment and CEO of the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.

Read more: https://globalnews.ca/news/10292174/opioid-crisis-canada-worsening/