Sudbury health unit confirms highly potent versions of fentanyl in region are linked to more deaths

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning of highly potent versions of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply, based on information from Toronto's drug testing service and coroner's data.

In a news release, the health unit said fluoro-fentanyl is known to be up to two times stronger than fentanyl and methylfentanyl-related drugs are up to 10 times stronger.

"This is the first time that we've been able to confirm the presence of these types of fentanyl analogs in our area," said Samantha Mortimer, a public health nurse with the health unit in northern Ontario.

"So it is definitely more of a groundbreaking and alarming discovery knowing that they are confirmed to be here. Even if they were suspected before."

She said they have observed slightly elevated numbers of EMS calls compared to the same time last year, but they don't capture the whole story.

More alarmingly, she said that from May to October, there has been an increased number of deaths compared to the same period last year, according to information from the coroner, although she did not have exact numbers.

Mortimer said the derivatives of fentanyl that are circulating were made in a lab and not intended for human consumption.

The health unit said the use of these substances significantly increases the risk of poisoning and may require multiple doses of naloxone to reverse. 

Amber Fritz, manager of outreach and education with Réseau Access Network, said there are 37 versions, or analogs, of fentanyl.

She said people don't have any way of knowing what potency or strength they're taking.

"So one day it can be 10 times stronger," she said.  "The next day it can be two times stronger. So it's like the potency and the concentration will vary wildly, which makes it very challenging."

Fritz said the warnings get posted at the harm reduction agency to emphasize the need for people to be cautious.

"Usually people who use drugs are aware when there's more toxic or a more potent, batch out on the street because they're the ones consuming it," she said. "But we definitely do have conversations with folks, especially when it does say that it can be up to 10 times stronger." 

Fritz said the warnings highlight the need for people to carry naloxone kits — which carry the fast-acting medication used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid overdoses — and not to use alone.