Beware of illicit drugs bought online, RCMP issue warning after an overdose death in St. Anthony

    Friday, 16 February 2024 07:00

    By Tonya Organ

    Cpl Jolene Garland says an analysis confirmed it was the extremely potent synthetic opioid, categorized as a Nitazine, and is approximately 20 times more potent than Fentanyl.

    RCMP issued a warning this week after tablets containing nitazine (night-aww-zeeen) were found in St.Anthony. Police seized the pills in late December following an overdose death in the town. Cpl Jolene Garland says an analysis confirmed it was the extremely potent synthetic opioid, categorized as a Nitazine, and is approximately 20 times more potent than Fentanyl. She says synthetic opioids cause heavy sedation and severely depress the respiratory system, leading to death. Garland says the deceased is believed to have purchased the substance online, advertised as morphine. She says illicit drug manufacturers will often produce the most cost-effective substance and market it as something else, without the consideration of its effects on the user. The investigation into the origin of the substance is continuing.

    Please call 811 to find your nearest location for a free naloxone kit or visit https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/naloxonekits/.

     

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