Two parents are facing several charges after their baby boy suffered a possible overdose of the powerful opioid fentanyl. Paramedics were called to a Winnipeg home last week and found the nine-month-old in critical condition. Officers also found a powder which they believed to be fentanyl.
A search of the home found 285 grams of suspected fentanyl powder, along with a cutting agent and other contaminated paraphernalia.
The biological parents have been charged with failure to provide the necessities of life, causing bodily harm by criminal negligence and drug trafficking.
The child’s life was probably saved by officers, who immediately noted the presence of fentanyl in the home, which allowed him to be properly treated with an antidote. The baby boy has been upgraded to stable and is in care.
Although the baby’s condition improved immediately following the antidote, police are still waiting for confirmation from Health Canada that the drug they found is fentanyl.
The investigation is continuing. It’s still not entirely clear how the baby came into contact with the drug.
Police and health officials say fentanyl poses a serious threat to public safety across North America. The opioid is used as a painkiller for terminally ill cancer patients and is said to be 100 times more powerful than heroin.
A drug use expert with the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, said a fentanyl overdose shuts down the area of the brain that controls breathing. It can then cause brain damage or death. A smaller amount of fentanyl would be toxic for a child compared to an adult, he added. Depending on whether or not fentanyl is in its pure form, he said simply touching the drug could mean exposure.
Vancouver police said last month that three officers had experienced overdose symptoms after handling fentanyl or exhibits contaminated with the opioid. Officers and support staff were to start carrying the nasal-spray form of an antidote called naloxone.
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