Well, well, well! Gather ’round folks, because it looks like the great Canadian drug bazaar has taken an alarming twist. A non-fatal overdose on a counterfeit opioid tablet in Quebec has sent the Public Health Department diving headfirst into the proverbial drug soup, and it’s not the tasty kind. Just when you thought it was safe to scroll through Snapchat, a poor young soul thought they were popping a harmless Percocet, only to find themselves playing “guess that opioid” with something far more sinister. Spoiler alert: no one wins that game.
The incident, which happened at the end of September, serves as a rude awakening. According to none other than Dr. Anne-Frédérique Lambert-Slythe—her name’s longer than a drug dealer’s rap sheet—this marks the first time public health officials have sniffed out counterfeit opioids in a case involving minors. Sounds like the opening scene of the next great thriller: “What comes after a fun night out?” “Spoiler: it’s not a trip down the dance floor.”
Now, let’s talk dosage. Forget your Averys and Cecilies; this particular tablet, masquerading as a “30 mg Percocet,” actually contained a synthetic opioid called protonitazepyne. And if you think you’ve heard of fentanyl, buckle up, buttercup! Protonitazepyne is a whopping 25 times stronger than fentanyl and “several hundred times stronger than morphine.” Who needs a roller coaster when you can take a single pill that sends your heart rate into orbit? Talk about a euphoric, albeit potentially deadly, ride! It’s like inviting yourself to a barbecue only to find out it’s actually a barbecue of horror.
Dr. Lambert-Slythe drove the point home by labeling the black market drug scene a game of “Russian roulette.” Charming, isn’t it? In a society where kids are supposed to be debating TikTok trends and the best TikTok dances, they’re instead weighing their drug options like it’s a poorly written game show. Do you want the genuine article or are you ready to gamble with your health?
This isn’t just an isolated case; the sad truth is that the counterfeit opioid crisis is spiraling faster than a scarecrow in a tornado. In December 2022, a young man named Émile Sirois, also fooled by a counterfeit pill, was found unconscious. That’s right—tragic as it sounds, these potent, fake tablets have a body-count that rivals a horror flick.
But don’t worry, not all hope is lost! Health officials are rapidly disseminating this critical information like hot gossip at a family reunion. With reports showing a fluctuating number of overdoses over the years, one thing is clear: this isn’t a trend that shows any signs of slowing. With the stats suggesting there were 36 fatal overdoses and 134 non-fatal overdoses in just 2024, it feels like we’re living in a public health game of “Would You Rather?” But we can only choose to not be the poor unsuspecting contestant!
As the narrative unfolds, and more young minds fall prey to the deceptive allure of ‘harmless’ pills, let’s face it, if anyone claims they have what you want, you might want to ask a few more questions than “Is it gluten-free?” This is the stuff of nightmares, folks, and it’s time we take the sleepwalking routine a little more seriously.
In summation, be alert, be aware, and please, for the love of all things holy, keep those conversations with the youth about the hidden dangers of black market “medications” more frequent. This is clearly not just a drug problem; it’s an all-hands-on-deck, we-need-to-take-this-seriously kind of crisis. Because in the end, when it comes to drug safety, you should definitely be feeling more like an analyst than a participant in some ridiculous real-life game show.
Are you worried? You should be! Do you have any information or a story to share about a crazy drug experience? Don’t keep it to yourself—call us! Let’s tackle this epidemic together, or at least share a laugh that’s worth more than any drug buzz. Let’s make drug safety discussions the next big thing, shall we?
A worrying incident involving a young individual from Quebec, who experienced a non-fatal overdose after consuming a counterfeit opioid tablet, has prompted the Public Health Department to issue urgent warnings about these potent substances that carry a significant risk of overdose.
• Also read: Opioids: a 19-year-old from Mascouche killed by a single pill purchased on Snapchat
• Also read: A real black market for drug traffickers in Instagram, Snapchat and Telegram
• Also read: 11-year-old children treated for drug addiction
This alarming event unfolded in Quebec towards the end of September, as confirmed by officials from CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale. This marks a significant milestone, being the first recorded instance of counterfeit opioid involvement linked to an overdose in a minor within the region.
“What alerts us is that it happened in a young person,” stated Dr. Anne-Frédérique Lambert-Slythe, a medical consultant at the Public Health Department of the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, during a press conference on Monday.
At a press briefing on Monday, Dr. Lambert-Slythe expressed profound concern over the emergence of counterfeit opioid tablets, describing them as “very powerful.” These substances recently led to a non-fatal overdose incident involving a minor in September.
Dr. Lambert-Slythe, however, confirmed that the young person received timely medical assistance before being transported to a hospital for further treatment. This prompt intervention was critical in preventing a potentially tragic outcome.
“Several hundred times stronger than morphine,” the CIUSSS announced that the young individual mistakenly ingested what was believed to be a 30 mg Percocet tablet, commonly referred to as “Perc 30” among young users. However, subsequent laboratory tests revealed the presence of protonitazepyne in his bloodstream, a synthetic opioid that is 25 times more potent than fentanyl and “several hundred times stronger than morphine.”
“These are illegal presses so the tablet looks like a prescribed tablet […]but in the molecule, sometimes we find another opioid; sometimes we also find mixtures, whether with a powerful opioid or benzodiazepines, which are usually medications prescribed to reduce anxiety,” explained Dr. Lambert-Slythe, emphasizing that consuming drugs from the black market is akin to playing a dangerous game of “Russian roulette.”
This same category of counterfeit tablets is believed to have claimed the life of young Émile Sirois in Mascouche in December 2022, as reported by The Journal on Saturday. Émile, just 19 years old, was discovered unconscious in his bed by a concerned family member.
Last February, the Public Health Department first reported the alarming presence of protonitazepyne in counterfeit OxyContin tablets circulating within the National Capital region.
What is Percocet?
Percocet is a potent medication typically prescribed to alleviate moderate to severe pain, composed of a combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and oxycodone.
Number of overdoses of psychoactive substances in Quebec
2020
- Fatal: 37
- Non-fatal: 152
2021
- Fatal: 25
- Non-fatal: 409
2022
- Fatal: 25
- Non-fatal: 189
2023
- Fatal: 28
- Non-fatal: 118
2024
- Fatal: 36
- Non-fatal: 134
Reports of fatal overdoses over the past 12 months must be approached with caution since multiple investigations remain active. The non-fatal overdose reports are collected voluntarily from partners and therefore may not provide a complete picture of the actual situation.
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