WASHINGTON – Canada’s "fentanyl czar" warns that newer, stronger and even more lethal synthetic opioids than fentanyl are increasingly showing up on both sides of the U.S. border and jeopardizing gains made in the joint U.S.-Canada anti-drug fight.
Kevin Brosseau −whose official title is Commissioner in Canada’s Fight Against Fentanyl and is the counterpart to the U.S. "drug czar" − said in an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with USA TODAY that nitazene and similar chemical compounds in particular have spurred the Ottawa government to ramp up work with partners around the world. They're working together to raise awareness of these new threats, to eliminate the precursor chemicals used to make them, and to combat the transnational organized crime syndicates peddling them, he said.
“I could have never predicted in the '90s, as I was dealing with heroin overdoses, that … new synthetics would be completely dominating, and they’ve essentially blown up the North American drug market,” said Brosseau.
“That’s why I’m working with other countries, whether it’s in China, in India, with our G7 partners, so that we’re aware of what’s coming around the corner,” Brosseau said. “Because if (fentanyl) has been this deadly, what’s next, right?”
