Spate of overdoses may be linked to fentanyl-laced crack cocaine, harm reduction workers warn

Harm reduction workers in Toronto's east end are warning of the possibility that a supply of crack cocaine may be laced with fentanyl.

Rhiannon Thomas, a coordinator at the South Riverdale Community Health Centre, told CBC Radio'sMetro Morning on Tuesday she believes at least seven overdoses have occurred in the past week due to people unknowingly ingesting the opioidwhile smoking crack.

A spokesperson for Toronto Public Health could not confirm the overdoses, but says more information will be available in the coming week.

Thomas, who heard this information through the "street grapevine" said she is "hesitant to say this is happening regularly."

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"If there wasfentanylin cocaine in this city, hundreds of thousands of people would be dropping everyday," she said.

She was able to confirm through hospital discharge reportsthat fentanyl was found in the system of a person who said they were smoking crack cocaine and no other drugs.

"The word needs to get out very quickly. Two weeks or three weeks later is too late," Thomas warned.

Health Canada's Drug Analysis Service, which tests drugs apprehended by the Canada Border Services Agency, the Correctional Service of Canada and police forces across the country, reported in November 2017 that 1.8 per cent of samples of cocaine seized so far that year had tested positive for fentanyl. That's up from 0.01 per cent in 2012.

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Thomas said she suspects the fentanylaccidentally ended up in the crack cocaine this past week.

"It doesn't make sense from a business perspective to be putting a dangerous opioid in a stimulant," she said.

Her advice to drug users is to get a naloxone kit. She says the opioid antidote is "very easy to use."

"Also talk about it," she added. "Try not to use by yourself if you can, try to call someone if you can't."

Safe injection sites don't allow smoking

A spokesperson for Toronto Public Health told CBCToronto thatthe city is "required to follow provincial legislation, whichprohibits smoking indoors," and therefore cannot allow crack cocaine users to smoke at overdose preventionsites.

A safe injection site in Moss Park, which operates outside the legal framework, is the only site in the city that has a smoking tent.

At the end of the month, afederally sanctioned safe drug consumption site in Lethbridge, Alta., will open. It willallowfour modes of consumption, including inhalation or smoking.

"We know that all four forms of consumption are occurring in the city, so you have to deal with all of them," LethbridgeMayor Chris Spearmantold CBC Newsin January.

Thomas said the only way to make sure supplies are kept safe is to decriminalize illicit drugs.

"People are using drugs whether you like it or not," she said.

She said a better way to test drugs should be implemented across the city.