By James Peters

IH confirms two positive carfentanil tests

Mar 2, 2017 | 9:15 AM

KAMLOOPS — Interior Health has confirmed the presence of the deadly opioid carfentanil in two separate tests in the region recently.

Carfentanil is said to be 100 times more toxic than fentanyl, and is usually used as a sedative for large animals such as elephants.

A quantity the size of a grain of salt can be fatal to humans.

While carfentanil has been detected in other regions of BC, these two positive tests are the first within the Interior Health region.

According to a news release, one positive came from a drug test in the Kootenay region, was reported by Health Canada, and was from imitation oxycodone pills bearing the marking ‘CDN 80.’

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Another positive came from a urine test in the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap region, reported by LifeLabs.

IH says there is no way of knowing in advance whether street drugs contain dangerous opioids such as fentanyl or carfentanil.

The health authority advises abstinence, but if that is not possible, extreme caution.