The RNC is warning about the presence of a new, and dangerous, synthetic opioid in the community.

RNC Cst. James Cadigan says the Constabulary was notified this week of a sudden death in the metro region related to exposure to the drug.

“The toxicology report did indicate the presence of protonitazene, which is a synthetic opioid, said to be three times more potent than fentanyl which we know to have fatal effects in minute doses.”

Cadigan says the RNC has received multiple reports in the past 12 months alone of different synthetic opioids now present in illicit drugs in the community.

“We learned that this protonitazene substance was being sold as a dilaudid,” in the illicit market says Cadigan. “So, it appears to be a dilaudid pill. For anyone buying a pill on the street level, in the illicit market, it goes to show you cannot put any faith in what you’re truly receiving in return.”

The RNC is stressing the importance of having a Naloxone kit on hand if you consume illicit drugs because in many cases, it’s difficult to know what you’re really getting.