Brian Hutchinson: The fentanyl scourge, up close in a Vancouver alley

Sadly, I know from first hand experience as a nurse, knowing parents of addicts and my deceased BFF's daughter. Heroin is now the drug of choice, especially after the implementation of I Stop (doctor shopping). Some of the heroin is now also laced w/an elephant tranquilizer. These addicts say you can 'never' just do it once. "Chasing the dragon".

I searched XXX's belongings when she was unconscious, I found her needles and Narcan . A few days later I spoke to her about it...in a very normal tone she stated "oh, we all always carry it in case we OD, gotta be prepared."

So, that's their mindset. Sad! Frustrating! Dangerous!

I was medically addicted (meaning they had to give it to me in quantities that were somewhat abnormal) to fentanyl after an industrial accident. Docs had to titrate me off it. Powerful, powerful stuff.

I am hearing about it in Ohio and KY as well, more deaths from overdoses than ever before. Not sure what can be done as the source is not controlled. Logically when the suppliers start figuring out they are killing their customers they will stop or cut less. Let's get people into treatment programs!