Nine die in Vancouver in 24 hours from fentanyl opioid overdose

[inanna]

Source: BBC

9 hours ago

Nine people have died in Vancouver in the past 24 hours from an overdose of the painkiller fentanyl opioid, officials say.

Mayor Gregor Robertson said it was "desperate times" for the Canadian city, adding that more deaths were expected.

"It's hard to see any silver lining right now when we haven't hit rock bottom," Mr Robertson said.

Drug abuse in Canada claimed the lives of 2,000 people in 2015.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38351958

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. Not a good marketing strategy to kill off your customers.

Can't figure out why dope sellers would want to mix such a deadly combo to sell.
Esp. since it only takes a minuscule amount of Fentanyl to kill.

Worse yet, now am hearing of an elephant tranquilizer that is being mixed with street heroin.

[inanna]

2. I think you're talking about carfentanil

It's also hit Vancouver (and Edmonton) I think

Posted here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10875965

[m-lekktor]

3. actually people think "wow that must be some potent shit" and go in search of it. nt

[Warpy]

5. People have died from handling fentanyl pain patches

they've found in the trash. They've cut them open, gotten the dregs on their skin, and overdosed.

[m-lekktor]

8. yep. a druggie only thinks of the buzz and always think they can *manage*

whatever drug they are about to take. East coast heroin used to (when i was aware of things) have cutsy names stamped on the little packets of powder that always implied "deadly" or "killer" or something to that effect to make it sound like good/strong shit. They are always searching for a bigger bang at a lesser cost. If they hear people are dropping like flies from something they will go look for it thinking "they" will do it, not die somehow, and get a kick ass buzz because it is so damn good people are dying from it. That being said, I am not aware or familiar with fentanyl, I haven't been around drugs or druggies and/ or haven't been one myself (tmi)in quite some time!

[Warpy]

14. I tried everything in the 60s and never found my drug of choice, go figure

I'm all too aware of what's going on because I'm a retired nurse.

Just realize someone heavily dependent on opiates doesn't have a choice. He is compelled to do whatever he can to avoid withdrawal.

That's why I find all this so sad and unnecessary. Just legalize it. Use the money we save on paramilitary bullshit in foreign countries alone on rehab, we'll have plenty of space for anyone who wants to get off the dependence treadmill.

[m-lekktor]

16. I completely agree with your last paragraph.

I DID find my drugs of choice and I don't do them anymore (even though one of them is pot and relatively harmless).

[appal_jack]

28. Yes, this. k&r for sad news (OP) & smart response (yours), nt

[ismnotwasm]

27. Diverting health care providers have been known to chew fentanly patches

Just peel them off the patient and pop them in their mouths. The ones we see have no liquid in them although I remember a brand one nurse got busted shooting up from.

So gross.

[7962]

11. I will NEVER understand that either. You're exactly right.

"this shit might kill you!"
"Damn, I gotta try some of that"

It will never make sense to me

[m-lekktor]

13. A person with the opioid addict mindset thinks they will be the exception

and somehow *manage* the dosage and survive and get that extra strong buzz! The high is the number one priority for someone of that mindset and if you don't share that mindset it won't make sense to you!

[7962]

21. Thankfully I dont. nt

[Still In Wisconsin]

17. Bingo. That is EXACTLY what happens.

[Warpy]

4. It's stupidly easy to overdose on Fentanyl

Last edited Sat Dec 17, 2016, 11:08 PM - Edit history (1)

and its anallogues, like the "elephant tranquilizer." The dosage is in micrograms, 1/1000 of a milligram, and dealers just don't have the expertise or the equipment to mix the stuff evenly into whatever they're cutting their drugs with.

We lost one patient to it, a doctor who reprogrammed his IV machine because he didn't think his pain relief was adequate and instead of telling staff and getting the breakthrough medication that was ordered. We got two things from that one: locking cases for the IV keypad and Narcan in the room. (not my patient, not my shift, but was there for the drama)

Street drugs have always killed people both from the unevenness of the dosage and the crap some dealers mix into them. Fentanyl is just one more way driving the stuff into the black market is killing people.

[Jim__]

9. Isn't 1/1000 of a gram a milligram?

I think a microgram is 1/1,000,000 of a gram.

[airplaneman]

10. You did the the math - and you are correct. n/t.

[Warpy]

15. You're right, I had a major brain fart

I'm old, it happens, it's one reason I don't endanger my fellow citizens by going back to work.

[cstanleytech]

19. Really? I must have been lucky then because I never had a problem when I put them on

my mother.

[Warpy]

22. Operative words:

CUT THEM OPEN.

Don't do it. Really.

[cstanleytech]

23. Ahhh ya, I never thought to cut them. nt

[inanna]

6. Also from the article:

The city's coroner said that morgues had reached capacity.

Most of the deaths occurred in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood, where drugs can be easily bought, Mr Palmer said.

[JudyM]

7. Sad

[Quackers]

12. If Fentanyl is involved, they're lucky it's only 9 deaths right now.

[forgotmylogin]

18. My mom was just prescribed Fentanyl patches

She is very tolerant to opioid painkillers, however. She has spinal stenosis and has reached the limit of oxycodone she could tolerate orally. So far it's helped her, and that's what it's purpose is. There's a huge warning sheet in the box that it's not for people who are not already tolerate to opioid painkillers.

This is sobering to hear, though, and I'm going to start being very careful about disposing of the used patches. I know they usually say to wrap up dangerous waste like insecticide cans. I wonder if I should seal the old patches in a fold of duct tape or something so they won't be identified as a drug nor accidentally get stuck on anyone going through the trash.

[riversedge]

25. When taking off the old patch you should wear disposible gloves. Simply remove the old patch and

the glove to enfold the patch as you take off the glove. The old patch, probably with some remaining medication on it will be inside the glove. Can tie top if you want and dispose.

[forgotmylogin]

26. That's a great idea.

If someone wants to work to get it I can't do anything about it, but it will prevent someone accidentally getting it stuck to their skin.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

20. So people get snowed in and get wasted?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

24. Does it snow in Vancouver? I thought it was the "Tropical" corner of Canada. nt