Why fentanyl is finding its way into more drugs despite the dangers
Posted September 9, 2016 7:36 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It is the cause of an increasing number of overdoses and deaths across the province, specifically in Metro Vancouver, so why is fentanyl being cut into so many drugs being bought on local streets?
The prevalence of fentanyl and its sometimes fatal consequences prompted an unprecedented public health warning in BC earlier this year and one local medical expert who specializes in harm reduction at major public events is sharing his thoughts on the rationale behind the spread of the powerful opioid.
“It’s easily available and relatively easy to synthesize,” says Dr. Sam Gutman, president or Rockdoc Consulting, which provided services to the Pemberton Music Festival this year. “It can be put into drugs and create a high, though it may not be the high the user is expecting. The products are potentially more potent.”
But even though fentanyl-laced drugs present an increased possibility for overdose and death for recreational users who may be unaware they are taking the opioid, Gutman suggests dealers are playing a numbers a game. “If users don’t overdose they can become addicted and you’ve got lifelong customers,” he tells NEWS 1130.
Despite its presence on the streets, Gutman adds he’s seen little evidence of fentanyl use among festival crowds this year. “I think there has been a tremendous focus on fentanyl, which is appropriate given the numbers, but harm reduction deals with more than just fentanyl. It’s been kind of ironic to me that there’s so much focus on the drug but not on other things that cause most of the harm at music festivals.”
He suggests stimulants, substances like MDMA, alcohol and even bad decision-making around sex are bigger issues on the festival scene. “There’s been a lot of energy directed into harm reduction and fentanyl is a small portion of that, though it’s received all of the attention from the media.”
In April, provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall declared a public health emergency in reaction to the number of fentanyl overdoses in BC.
On September 1st, police in Delta responded to nine overdoses in the span of 20 minutes, all of which were caused by a mix of cocaine and a fentanyl derivative.
