Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic (man-made) opioid that is more toxic than most other opioids, and can be prescribed by a physician to help control severe pain. Fentanyl is also being produced in illegal labs and sold on the streets, often mixed with other drugs. Increasingly, fentanyl is being detected in overdose deaths in BC.
About Fentanyl
Why is fentanyl dangerous?
Fentanyl is around 20 to 40 times more toxic than heroin and 50 to 100 times more toxic than morphine, which makes the risk of accidental overdose higher. When fentanyl is combined with other opioids (like heroin, morphine, methadone or codeine), alcohol, benzodiazepines, or cocaine or methamphetamines, it can further increase the risk of accidental overdose. Combining substances (including alcohol), intentionally or unintentionally, increases overdose risk. It’s also important to be aware that drugs other than fentanyl can also be lethal, and that there is no quality control or regulated manufacturing process for illegal drugs.
Where is it coming from?
Illicit fentanyl is manufactured in clandestine overseas drug labs, both overseas and in Canada. It may be cut into powders or pressed into pills prior to being sold.
Where is it found?
Fentanyl is sometimes sold as fentanyl but other illegal drugs can also contain it, including heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, crack or meth. It may be in drugs that are in powder, liquid or pill form.
These drugs may contain toxic contaminants or have different levels of fentanyl in each batch. Even pills produced in the same batch may have little to lethal levels of fentanyl.
What can you do?
Be aware that drugs obtained from anywhere other than a pharmacy or a hospital may not be what you think they are, or what others believe them to be.
Learn how to recognize and respond to a drug overdose.
See our tips for safer substance use.
Alerts
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VCH - Drug Alert - VancouverMarch 28, 2025 • Posted by Vancouver Coastal Health
***Drug Alert - Vancouver - Mar 28, 2025***
VCH has issued a drug alert.
White powder in Vancouver tested positive for primidone (desoxyphenobarbital), a barbiturate sedative, and medetomidine, a tranquilizer more toxic than xylazine. This combination could result in decreased consciousness and/or prolonged sedation that will not respond to naloxone.
Check your drugs https://www.vch.ca/en/service/drug-checking
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VCH - Drug Alert - Powell RiverMarch 28, 2025 • Posted by Vancouver Coastal
***Drug Alert - Vancouver - Mar 28, 2025***
VCH has issued a drug alert.
Brown substance sold as crack cocaine in Powell River tested positive for fentanyl and negative for cocaine. Substance has caused overdose.
Test your drugs in the qathet region: https://www.qcat.ca/check-your-drugs -
Northern Health - Drug Alert - Regional March 27, 2025 • Posted by Northern Health
***Drug Advisory - REGIONAL - March 27, 2025***
Northern Health has issued a drug advisory for the Northern Health region. A round white pill sold as “Oxycocet” has tested positive for isotonitazene.
Isotonitazene or "Nitazene" is a synthetic opioid that is equal or more toxic than fentanyl and is not detected on fentanyl test strips.For more information, go to:
Drug advisory: Northern Health region | Stories
https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/overdose-prevention
Resources

Opioid Overdose Awareness
Our web page features risks, signs and how to respond.