Information about opioids

Opioids such as heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl, Vicodin, codeine, morphine and methadone are substances that can control pain and can also suppress breathing. In the case of a toxic drug poisoning (“overdose”), this  can result in severe brain damage and even death due to oxygen deprivation.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate narcotic, a prescription drug used primarily for patients in severe pain. Fentanyl is extremely toxic. A piece of fentanyl the size of one or two grains of sand can cause a drug poisoning. It is roughly 50 to 100 times more toxic than morphine. To learn more about preventing and responding to drug poisoning, click here.

Fentanyl is a contaminant you can’t see, smell or taste. It can be found in pills sold as fake oxys and other club drugs, in powder as heroin or fent, and can be mixed into other drugs like cocaine and crystal meth. There are no reports that fentanyl is being found in cannabis (marijuana). People don’t often think the substances they are using contain fentanyl.

Fentanyl test strips and spectrometer testing can detect fentanyl in many substances. Learn more about getting drugs tested. 

Although fentanyl is sometimes used in the management of complex pain, it must be prescribed by a physician and the dose should be carefully monitored.

• What is fentanyl? - Know Your Source website 
• Fentanyl - Toward the Heart website

W-18 is a synthetic opioid, which can be up to 100 times more toxic than fentanyl. Use of this toxic drug, even in very small amounts, could result in a fatal overdose.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid which can be up to 100 times more toxic than fentanyl. Use of this toxic drug, even in very small amounts, could result in a fatal overdose. It is used as a general anaesthetic for large animals such as elephants.

Fentanyl has become popular in the manufacturing of counterfeit Oxycodone pills. Learn more at Fentanyl Safety - about fentanyl.