4 vials of fentanyl stolen from Kugluktuk health centre
Drug has led to hundreds of overdose deaths in Canada, prompted public health crisis in British Columbia
The fentanyl Nunavut's health department warned about in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, was stolen from the local health centre's own supply.
A public health advisory issued Thursday by the department warned residents only that fentany "is present" in the community, without saying how it got there.
A spokesperson called the CBC Friday to clarify that the advisory was issued after four vials were stolen during a break-in. He also said the thief or thieves may not be aware they took fentanyl and it could be very dangerous if consumed.
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid drug that has been linked to hundreds of deaths in Canada in recent years. The province of British Columbia has declared a public health emergency as the number of overdose deaths continues to rise there — as many as 800 are being projected for 2016, with the majority blamed on fentanyl.
- Fentanyl deaths are a Canada-wide 'disaster'
- 'Too toxic to touch': Police struggle to deal with fentanyl
In Canada's North, the Northwest Territories had the highest number of fentanyl-related deaths per capita in Canada from 2009 to 2014, while a warning was issued in Yukon last April following a fentanyl-related death.
- N.W.T. averaging 1 fentanyl related death per year, study finds
- Yukon coroner issues warning after fentanyl-related death
The advisory asks residents of Kugluktuk to call the RCMP immediately if they know or hear of anyone in the community that may have fentanyl.
Residents who think or notice that someone has used fentanyl or is exhibiting symptoms of an overdose are asked to rush them to a health centre right away.
Symptoms include:
- Severe sleepiness;
- Slow heartbeat;
- Shallow or troubled breathing;
- Cold and clammy skin; and
- Trouble walking and talking.