‘Stronger than fentanyl’: Police seize highly potent opioid in Halifax
Posted Nov 15, 2023 12:20:29 PM.
Last Updated Nov 15, 2023 01:57:56 PM.
Regional police are warning the public of a highly potent synthetic opioid that was seized in Halifax.
On Sept. 30, officers seized a number of pills during an impaired driving investigation.
The pills were sent to Health Canada for analysis where it was confirmed the pills were A Benzimidazole (N-desethyl Isotonitazene), a synthetic opioid similar to but stronger than fentanyl.
According to HRP, this is the first seizure of this drug in HRM.
The pills were a white triangle shape with “DD” scored on one side and “8” scored on the other and given the potency of the drug, a person may need several doses of naloxone to counter an overdose caused by N-desethyl Isotonitazene.
Common signs of an opioid overdose include:
- Severe sleepiness or the person cannot be woken up
- Breathing is slow or absent
- Snoring or gurgling noises
- Cold, clammy skin
- Lips and fingers are blue or grey
- Pupils are tiny
Police are urging anyone who consumes the drug to seek immediate medical assistance, adding you should call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone else is exhibiting signs of an opioid overdose.
