P.E.I. RCMP report presence of new drug 'more potent than fentanyl'

RCMP say a dangerous synthetic opioid not found before on P.E.I. was recently seized during a drug bust in Stratford — underlining the concern that users "really don't know what they're getting."

The seizure on May 28 included an envelope containing about 50 tablets.

"Health Canada identified the tablets as N-desethyl Isotonitazene/A-benzimidazole, a synthetic opioid said to be more potent than fentanyl," RCMP said in a news release. "Although N-desethyl Isotonitazene was reported in Nova Scotia earlier this year, this is the first reported instance of the drug in Prince Edward Island." 

The tablets were white and triangular with rounded corners, stamped on one side with P|d and on the other with Ɛ3.

"When people are purchasing illegal substances, they really don't know what they're getting, and that's our number-one concern," Cpl. Ellen Peters said in an interview Friday.

The use of naloxone might be able to counter the effects of the drug, RCMP said, but several doses could be required to reverse this kind of overdose.

Possession of N-desethyl Isotonitazene/A-benzimidazole is illegal, but Peters said she encourages anyone who knows about the presence of the drug to call 911, or contact Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.

Peters said the investigation connected to the May seizure continues and no charges have been laid.

CPHO warns of accidental overdose risk

The province's chief public health office says it's concerned that the drug has been detected on P.E.I.

"N-desethyl Isotonitazene is a synthetic opioid considered more than 20 times more toxic than fentanyl. Fentanyl itself is already 20 to 40 times more toxic than heroin and 100 times more toxic than morphine. This makes the risk of accidental overdose very high," said an emailed statement from the CPHO.

The CPHO said the drug is similar to nitazenes, which have been detected across Canada in recent years, and encourages people who use drugs to get them tested even if they think they know what the pills are.

The statement also contained a reminder that naloxone kits are available for free at many Island pharmacies, at some community sites, and through the Health P.E.I. Needle Exchange Program.

Drug users are encouraged not to consume substances alone, to start with a low dose, and to avoid using drugs in combination with other substances like alcohol or benzodiazepenes.

The CPHO encourages people to reach out to services like Health P.E.I.'s Mental Health and Addictions and the Opioid Replacement Therapy Program.

Drug looks like a prescription med

PEERS Alliance is a Charlottetown-based organization that works toward harm reduction when it comes to addictions. Program director Angele DesRoches told CBC News her main concern with the drug is that it resembles a prescription pill.

"These things can look very similar to the pharmaceutical product that manufacturers may be trying to mirror," she said.

DesRoches said most of those who regularly consume street-sourced drugs are aware this type of pill is fake, but she worries about those who are less familiar with drugs in general — "young folks, for example, who may not be as aware of the risks."

There aren't many drug users — if any — who would actively seek out a drug like N-desethyl Isotonitazene A-benzimidazole, DesRoches said. But the worry is that other drug supplies are being contaminated with it.

"And often it's not one compound that's appearing in a sample; it's multiple substances that are appearing in a sample," she said.

DesRoches said authorities have been cracking down on fentanyl and fentanyl analogs around the world. Because of that, the doors have been opened for new classes of illicit substances to emerge.

"It's a scary time for folks who are reliant on illicit substances... because things are changing so rapidly," she said.

Tools and technologies are racing to keep up in ways that support people in protecting their health, but we're always behind.— Angele DesRoches

As with other drugs, DesRoches encourages people not to use alone, and to use virtual services like the National Overdose Response Service and the B.C.-based Brave mobile app if they don't have someone who can supervise their consumption in person.

Meanwhile, PEERS Alliance is trying to track down new drug testing strips that would be more likely to detect N-desethyl Isotonitazene A-benzimidazole, since the ones the group currently provides are unlikely to detect it.

"Tools and technologies are racing to keep up in ways that support people in protecting their health, but we're always behind," said DesRoches.