Carfentanil has been in Winnipeg for months, recovering addict says

A recovering drug user says carfentanil was on Winnipeg streets for several months before police announced a large seizure of the deadly drug in September.

• Winnipeg fentanyl user says friends have died because of lack of help
• 'It's scary stuff': Deadly drug carfentanil now in Winnipeg
• Winnipeg offers no help for opiate addiction, say grieving parents

The woman, who the CBC is calling Amanda,said she overdosed on carfentanil in Apriland nearly died. She also said she's used Naloxone kits the injectable medication capable of reversing an overdose on friends who have overdosed on the deadly drug, and sheworries the current kits being handed out to drug users might not be enough.

RAW: 'Amanda' shares her story of struggling with fentanyl addiction in Winnipeg

8 years ago

Duration 3:00

A Winnipeg woman has lost several friends to fentanyl addiction, and is terrified that she'll be next.

"The carfentanil is so strong that [Naloxone] just basically got their breathing back to normal; they were still out," Amanda said.

Police to carry Naloxone kits

Carfentanil is similar to fentanyl itself a very powerful synthetic opiate and 10,000 times stronger than morphine. It is used to knock out very large animals, such as elephants and moose.

In its pure form, it looks similar to table salt, and 20 micrograms or a50,000th(.00002)of a gram is enough to kill a person.

Winnipeg Police Service Deputy Chief Danny Smyth saidit appears there werethreeoverdose-related deaths last week alone. The ongoing crisis has prompted police to say they'll start carrying Naloxone kits as soon as possible.

'[Fentanyl] is the one drug thatwhen you don't have it, you're in full-blown withdrawal and crying for your mom'- Amanda

At first Amanda didn't realize she was taking carfentanil shewas told it was fentanylbut she did hear rumours, she said.

"You hear these things. You never know what's true."

She said she's worriedabout her friends who are still using.

When asked why a drug user would take the risk and use fentanyl or carfentanil, she said the withdrawal from these new powerful opiates is "like nothing I've experienced before."

"If you put all of the drugs all on the table, this is the one drug that when you don't have it, you're in full-blown withdrawal and crying for your mom."

Winning the war on opiates

Although fentanyl and carfentanilfrequently have beenin the news recently, Amanda said herfriends tell her the drugs are getting harder to find.

"With the [fentanyl] task force and recent busts, it's been putting a strain on opiate users who use fentanyl."

She thinks Winnipeg may be on the right track to winning the war against these deadly drugs.

To users,Amanda saiddon't lose hope.

"I've been there. I've been on every single drug you can think of and it sucks, and you feel like you're stuck and there's no hope," she said.

"You have to realize [help] is not just given to you. You have to seek it out and find the light inside you to work it out. If you want to live, you'll do it."

RAW: Winnipeg parents talk about their son's addiction to opiates

9 years ago

Duration 3:39

Christine Dobbs and Lang Watson are speaking out about the lack of help for opiate addiction after their son's death.

If you have anything to add to this story please emailthe author at leif.larsen@cbc.ca.