Thunder Bay – Living – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit advises the Thunder Bay Police Service advise that a pink-like rock substance containing fentanyl has come back with a synthetic opioid also present.
The substance was seized in September 2021 and then tested by Health Canada’s Drug Analysis Service; a high potency synthetic opioid known as N-Pyrrolidino Etonitazene was present in the sample. It is the first detection of this substance of concern in the Thunder Bay area.
Etonitazene
Classified as a benzimidazole, N-Pyrrolidino Etonitazene is a highly potent synthetic opioid which is 10- 20 times more potent than fentanyl. Etonitazene produces effects similar to other opioids including euphoria, sedation, and respiratory depression. There is a significant risk of overdose due to its potency which may require greater than normal doses of naloxone in the event of an overdose.
There have been similar reports of N-Pyrrolidino Etonitazene circulating in other parts of Ontario, as well as other provincesin Canada. A similar alert was reported by Toronto Drug Checking Service on May 6, 2021 and in Saskatoon by the Prescription Review Program on November 18, 2021.
Harm Reduction
- If you use drugs, start with a smaller amount (start low, go slow)
- Don’t use drugs alone; use with someone you trust, visit Path 525 @ NorWest CHC or download the Lifeguard Digital Health App
- Pick up a FREE naloxone kit from Superior Points or a pharmacy
- Call 911 if your high feels unusual, or if you suspect someone is overdosing. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides legal protection from drug-related charges for carrying drugs for personal use and other simple possession offences.
- Sign up for e-mail opioid alerts from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit
- If you are experiencing a crisis: Crisis Response @ 807-346-8282 or NAN HOPE @ 1-844-626-4673 2
Additional information
- https://health-infobase.canada.ca/drug-analysis-service/analyzed-drug-report.html?p=ON&y=2021&q=Q3
- https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/event-presentations/2021/webinar-risk-novel-synthetic- opioids.pdf?sc_lang=en
- https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2021-12/CCSA-CCENDU-Nonmedical-Use-Benzodiazepines- Unregulated-Drug-Supply-Bulletin-2021-en.pdf
- https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2020-05/CCSA-CCENDU-Adulterants-Contaminants-Co-occurring- Substances-in-Drugs-Canada-Bulletin-2020-en_0.pdf