'Extreme caution' urged as powdered carfentanil found in Kitchener

Powdered carfentanilhas been found for the first time in the region, according to police.

The powderedcarfentanilwas seized earlier this month during a drug bust inKitchener. The drug was sent to Health Canada for testingwhere it was confirmed to be the dangerous opioid. A previous bustin December 2016 saw carfentanil in pill form.

• 'Weapons-grade opioid' carfentanil detected in Waterloo region, drug taskforce warns

Powdered carfentanil can be added to other substances, which can increase the risk for an overdose, the Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy said in an alert issued Tuesday.

Carfentanil is 10,000 times more powerfulthan morphine and the alert warned drug users to "exercise caution" when using street drugs.

That included never using drugs alone, not taking the drug at the exact same time as a friend and to have naloxone ready just in case.