Fentanyl has been a rising concern in Vancouver, especially in nightclubs where bathrooms have become a common place for recreational drug use.
Fentanyl has also led to a rising number of drug overdoses in the city, and was suspected in 20+ deaths within one week last December.
Authorities have now issued a warning about W-18, a relatively new and lethal drug that has entered Western Canada. W-18 consists of synthetic opioid, 10,000 more potent than morphine, and up to 100 stronger than fentanyl.
The drug was first discovered by Calgary police during a drug bust last month, and although they only came across 3 pills, they believe there’s more entering the market.
“I can guarantee you there’s got to be more out there,” said Sgt. Jason Walker. “We just haven’t seen it yet.”
When compared to other major drugs such as heroin, W-18 differs as it isn’t derived from a plant and the margin for error in making a pill deadly enough to take a life is high.
In an interview with CBC, Dr. Evan Wood, Vancouver Coastal Health director for addiction services, says the discovery by Calgary police was “interesting.”
“It’s not in a drug dealer’s interest to be killing everyone who is buying these drugs,” Wood told CBC News. “The danger is making something so potent that a small difference in the mass or volume is the difference between being toxic or producing the desired effect in users.”
According to multiple reports, British Columbia and Alberta share a tight-knit drug ring, and if there are more pills out there, it’s only a matter of time until they reach B.C.
