2021-12-08

Powerful synthetic opiate resurfaces in Lunenburg County

The Mounties are warning the public about the rare discovery of a powerful synthetic opiate in Lunenburg County, the kind that can kill a person with a dose equal to a few grains of salt.

Cpl. Chris Marshall, a spokesman for the province's RCMP, said the appearance of the drug fentanyl is in a form unfamiliar to investigators.

In an interview with LighthouseNOW, Marshall said the drug recently seized from a Lunenburg County home looked like a purple-coloured play-modelling compound brand popular with kids.

A presumptive test indicated the presence of fentanyl but samples were sent to Health Canada for analysis to confirm the discovery. The health and safety issue prompted RCMP to notify the public Nov. 30 about the seizure resulting from a recent investigation.

"We found a little," Marshall said. "We're talking a few grams."

Law enforcement found the drug during the course of assisting another agency. Given there was a "health component" to the file, police are not narrowing down the community in Lunenburg County nor revealing details surrounding the matter, except to say no charges are expected.

This is not the first discovery of fentanyl in the region.

In April 2016, the pill-form of the drug was found in Bayswater, Lunenburg County. The prosecution said "a small quantity" of fentanyl was recovered, among with other pills, which resulted in charges against a local man. In 2017, the man was granted a conditional discharge on one count of fentanyl possession. At sentencing, the provincial court judge commented on the serious dangers associated with fentanyl and its impacts on the community.

"Like all prescription drugs, taking fentanyl when not prescribed by a physician may result in serious injury or death," RCMP said in a news release at the time in 2016.

In a recent statement, RCMP said common signs of an opioid overdose include severe sleepiness or the person cannot be awakened; slow or absent breathing; snoring or gurgling noises; cold, clammy skin, blue or grey lips and fingers; tiny pupils.

"A lethal dose for a typical adult can be as little as two milligrams, which is equal to two grains of salt," the RCMP said in the Nov. 30 statement. "You should call 911 immediately if you or someone else is exhibiting signs of an opioid overdose."

The Mounties advise the temporary antidote Naloxone can be used to deal with overdoses while waiting for medical help. "If not taken to the hospital, an overdose victim can fall back into the overdose within 30 minutes," police said.

Naloxone kits are available free of charge through a provincial program. To learn more, go to http://www.nsnaloxone.com on the internet.