This new synthetic drug that has appeared in Kamloops won’t respond to naloxone

Interior Health has issued a warning for a new synthetic drug that has popped up in Kamloops — one that won’t respond to naloxone. 

Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Trevor Corneil tells KamloopsMatters the health authority was made aware of the synthetic cannabinoid on April 18 after an individual accessed the drug-testing service provided by ASK Wellness.

The substance tested positive for heroin, fentanyl, caffeine, and a synthetic cannabinoid called AMB-FUBINACA.

“On its own, it does produce a high and there can be some hallucinogenic components to it,” says Corneil. “In some cases, in high doses, it can cause drowsiness and there’s evidence that it can cause respiratory depression.”

KAMLOOPS – Important Community Warning

A synthetic cannabinoid has been detected in suspected fentanyl. In high doses, AMB-FUBINACA can look like an opioid overdose but will not respond to naloxone. For your safety, please take additional precautions. #StopOverdose pic.twitter.com/rwvl311NM1

— Interior Health (@Interior_Health) April 19, 2019

But, unlike fentanyl or heroin, naloxone can’t reverse the effects of AMB-FUBINACA if someone stops breathing. 

Corneil says the case is a first for Kamloops and adds, like with many synthetics, AMB-FUBINACA is likely to be mixed in with other drugs.

“Depending on what the concentrations are, they’re going to have a different impact. Absolutely the naloxone will work to reverse and effects from the heroin and from the fentanyl. And if the majority of the substance is actually made of up heroin and fentanyl, naloxone will do the job. We just don’t know how much the (AMB-FUBINACA) will contribute to the respiratory depression. You’ll only know if somebody isn’t revived easily using the naloxone.”

With new synthetics coming online every month, Corneil says it’s hard to say what kind of role this synthetic drug will play in the illicit drug market. 

“It’s something users should be aware of. It’s really an opportunity to emphasize that if you’re going to use drugs from the illicit market, that you do it in the safest way possible.”

If someone is overdosing, Corneil notes naloxone should always be the first go-to solution.

If the antidote doesn’t appear to be working, call 911, he says.  

Other safety tips include:

• Don’t use alone
• Test by using a small amount first, then go slow
• Don’t mix alcohol with other drugs
• Make sure you have a naloxone kit on hand
• Give rescue breaths and naloxone if someone has decreased breathing or other signs of an overdose
• Use the services available at the mobile supervised consumption unit or an overdose prevention site near you: ASK Wellness, 433 Tranquille Rd. (open between noon and 3:30 p.m.); Crossroads Housing, from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Corneil says Interior Health will continue to monitor the situation.  

“We know that the substances available in the illicit market are mass produced for maximum financial gain. There aren’t any safety mechanisms in place, so we do suggest anybody who’s using substances from the illicit market, that they do what this individual did; get their drugs tested when they can.”