Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU), Upper Ottawa Valley OPP, County of Renfrew Paramedic Services and Addictions Treatment Services are warning the public that there is a risk of carfentanil being mixed with other illicit drugs.
The Ottawa Police Service Drug Unit is advising it has received two Health Canada Certificates of Analysis that confirmed the presence of fentanyl and carfentanil in drugs seized in Ottawa this past summer, originally believed to be heroin. One of the submitted samples was shown to contain carfentanil; the second sample contained both carfentanil and fentanyl. There was no heroin in either sample.
The best way to prevent an overdose from happening is to not use illicit drugs, advised Dr. Robert Cushman, Acting Medical Officer of Health for RCDHU. He urges those struggling with addiction or concerned family members of someone with a substance abuse problem to contact Addictions Treatment Service (ATS) for support at 613-432-9855. ATS Services are available throughout Renfrew County and District.
For more information about fentanyl and carfentanil, please visit the Ontario Poison Centre page on Opioid Overdose Management.
For more information, please visit www.rcdhu.com or call the Renfrew County and District Health Unit Health Info Line at 1-800-267-1097 Ext. 666 to speak with a nurse.
