Since it’s development in 1960, over 300,000 people have succumbed to fentanyl, a dangerous drug made in China.

Fentanyl is a strong opioid analgesic that’s 100 times more powerful than morphine. It is very popular on the black market because one kilogram of these salt like grains can generate profits up to $1M US.

“We are aware that this market is very dynamic and it evolves quickly”, said Dr. Thériault.

Being 40 times stronger than heroin, a mortal dose is only 6 nanomoles per litre.

“With fentanyl, sadly, it’s easy to exceed the dose considering the fact that it’s really toxic. It takes a few grains of salt to do an overdose”, explained Dr. Thériault.

This drug’s effects can be as positive (euphoria, relaxation…) as negative (stress, nausea…), depending on people.

Lately, this opioid took a deadly turn in society. Pills consumers might even take it without knowing it, remember Prince or Michael Jackson’s death. It can be found in some of the most known drugs like cocaine or it can be found in painkillers in the emergency cabinet at home.

81% of drug overdose deaths are caused by this narcotic because it can be found almost everywhere. In September only, five deaths were registered in Quebec city due to this drug. Our neighbours, the United States of America, register approximately 10,000 deaths per year.

Fentanyl is a harmful drug that is gaining popularity authorities need to take actions before it causes more trouble than it already has.

(written by Sara-Maude Brosseau, Jeanne-Avril Sanchez; editing by Amélie Maheux)