Sudbury police, Sudbury health unit issue warning after cut drugs reported on streets

The Greater Sudbury Police Serviceand the Sudbury and District Health Unit are issuing a warning after they received reports of drugs some cut with a veterinary drug being on city streets.

"We are hearing reports of street drugs being cut with extremely small but lethal or very harmful amounts of other substances, such as opioids or, recently, levamisole," Dr. Ariella Zbar of the SDHU stated in a press release today.

Last week the North Bay health unit reported that a man was brought to hospital after experiencing "unfamiliar effects" following an injection. Tests for carfentanil which were suspected in the case came back negative, the Health Unit said, but traces of levamisole were found.

Lavamisolis used to treat parasitic infections in both human and veterinary medicine,Zbarsaid.

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"Opioids like fentanyl can be lethal and have no smell, taste, and cannot be seen; whereas levamisole can seriously harm the immune system," she said.

The police and health unit are recommending that users keep a naloxone kit nearby to reduce the risk of an opioid overdose. It's also suggested that users not take drugs when they're alone.