Yukon coroner issues warning after fentanyl-related death

Yukon coroner Kirsten Macdonald has issued a warning to the public, saying a recent death in the territory has been linked to the drug fentanyl.

Illegal use of the prescription narcotic have been linked to hundreds of deaths in Canada in recent years, but this is the first time Yukon's coroner has confirmed a Yukon fatality related to the drug.

In a statement, Macdonald said the investigation into the death is ongoing, so no other details will be provided.

She said the synthetic opioid is "100 times more potent than morphine," and is often added to street drugs or misrepresented as another substance.

In B.C., there have been more than 200 overdose deaths related to fentanyl use so far this year, prompting that province to declare a public health emergency.