Overdose prompts Montreal public health to warn of opioid-laced cannabis circulating on the streets
Montreal public health authorities issued an alert on Thursday after an individual overdosed after smoking cannabis apparently laced with opioids.
"The person required several doses of naloxone and had to be hospitalized," a news release from the south central health and social services centre (CIUSSS) reads. "This event occurred after the individual smoked cannabis bought on the street in the form of a greenish-brown bud. The event is still under investigation at this time."
The CIUSSS fears that cannabis circulating on the street may be contaminated with opioids. Health authorities warn that those unknowingly exposed to opioids have a high risk of overdosing.
Montreal police (SPVM) confirmed that there is an investigation open, and officers are in the field where drug users are known to congregate, advising them to go to an SQDC to purchase cannabis.
"We're making people aware in the field," said SPVM spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant.
Those that smoke cannabis bought on the street should be aware of the following symptoms that present while overdosing: extreme drowsiness, snoring, myosis (pinpoint pupils), difficulty breathing and cyanosis (blue lips and nails.
"The symptoms are likely to cause cardiopulmonary arrest," said the CIUSSS.
Naloxone reverses overdose effects, and those that witness an overdose are urged to call 911 immediately.
Those wanting to obtain naloxone can do so at a local pharmacy or other organizations listed on the Quebec Institute of Public Health's directory.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
WATCH LIVE Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
NDP house leader says House dysfunction will be a factor in future confidence votes
NDP House leader Peter Julian says there's more his party wants to do in Parliament before the next election, but if the current dysfunction continues it will become a factor in how they vote on a confidence measure.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
BREAKING Jury begins deliberations in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
The jury tasked with determining if Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard sexually assaulted a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago began deliberating Friday after nearly two weeks of testimony that saw the singer and his accuser give starkly different accounts of what happened.
BREAKING Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
Airlines' challenge of Canada's passenger protection rules rejected by Supreme Court
Canada's airlines have failed in their challenge of air passenger protection rules that the federal government implemented in 2019.