Unconfirmed local case of a deadly opioid in North Bay

The North Bay-Parry Sound District Health Unit says there’s a deadly opioid suspected in North Bay.

It is called carfentanil and they have the first unconfirmed case of a carfentanil overdose in the city.

A patient at the North Bay Regional Health Centre was experiencing unfamiliar effects after injecting what was believed to be cocaine.

Staff injected large doses of a reversal agent called naloxone and the results were successful.

The Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Chirico says carfentanil can’t be detected by sight, smell or taste but ingesting as little as 2 micrograms of it can be lethal.

The Health Unit would like to warn drug users, including recreational users, of the following:
If using drugs, have someone available who can call for help.
Test by injecting a small amount first, then go slow.
Call 911 immediately if something doesn’t feel right.
If someone has decreased breathing, call 911 and give naloxone.
Do not assume your drugs are carfentanil free – any drug could be mixed with a lethal amount of carfentanil.
Dr. Tim Percival, Chief of Emergency Medicine at the North Bay Regional Health Centre stresses that naloxone kits, while effective in most opioid overdose situations, are no match for the deadly effects of carfentanil.
All suspected cases of carfentanil overdoses should be seen in the emergency department,” warns Dr. Percival.
The Health Unit is working with the North Bay Police Service, the North Bay Regional Health Centre, and the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area to address this issue.
For more information, contact Jolinne Kearns, Public Relations Specialist, at the Health Unit at 705-474-1400 ext. 2221, or via email communications@nbpsdhu.ca