Drug 100 times stronger than fentanyl found at Saskatchewan Penitentiary

The Saskatchewan RCMPhas confirmed thefirst case of carfentanil within the walls of the Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

Carfentanil, an opioid100 times stronger than fentanyl, was present in a substance found at the penitentiary in Prince Albert after an incident on July 15.

A 22-year-old male inmate was found unresponsive. He was given naloxone,anopioidantidote often administered to counteract afentanyloverdose,and taken to hospital.Police say the incident was not fatal.

"There are severe consequences to being exposed to, possessing, or using synthetic opioid drugs. All it can take is being in the presence of carfentanil to put yourself at serious risk of injury or death," said Supt. Rob Cameron in a news release issued Friday.

According to the RCMP, an amount weighing less than a grain of salt can kill a human.

Because of carfentanil's potency, RCMP say a single dose of naloxonemay not be enough to help an overdose victim.