Is fentanyl in everything? Examining the unexpected occurrence of illicit opioids in British Columbia's drug supply.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Illicit opioids, including fentanyl, are linked to unprecedented levels of overdose in Canada and elsewhere. The risks associated with illicit opioids can include high potency, unpredictable concentration and the unexpected presence in other drugs. Within this context, we examine drug checking data to better understand the presence of illicit opioids such as fentanyl in other drugs and possible ways to interpret these results.

Methods

Three years (2021-2023) of data (18,474 samples) from Substance Drug Checking in British Columbia, Canada were examined to investigate the risks associated with the detection of opioids in other drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as in other drug categories. Samples were tested by paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS)

SUBMITTER: Wallace B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11892297 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature