Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 67 FENTANYL (continued) Constricted pupils – Opiates including fentanyl can cause the user to have constricted pupils, making them look like pinpoints or small dots. Nodding – Temporarily falling asleep at an unusual time, like while talking or standing Covering Arms – A person may wear long sleeves even when it’s hot in order to hide needle marks Needle Marks – If someone is injecting fentanyl, they may have needle marks on their arms, on their ankles, feet, or behind their knees Itching – Someone using fentanyl non-medically will scratch and itch frequently Bad coordination – Their balance might be affected, causing them to trip or stumble while walking Other signs that someone is using fentanyl may include: • Stiffness of muscles • Dizziness • Fainting • Shaking • Slurred speech • Drowsiness • Nausea and vomiting • Hallucinations • Urine retention • Dry mouth • Loss of appetite • Sleeping problems • Swollen arms or legs It can be difficult to recognize the signs of fentanyl use in a young person. Multiple signs of problematic substance use combined with drugseeking or other addictive behaviours may point to use of the drug. 1. Health Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/healthcanada/services/substance-use/controlled-illegal-drugs/fentanyl.ht ml#a1 2. Health-Infobase Canada https://healthinfobase.canada.ca/substance-related-harms/opioids-stimulants/# fn3 3. Health Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/healthcanada/services/substance-use/controlled-illegal-drugs/fentanyl.ht ml#a1 4. Health-Infobase Canada https://healthinfobase.canada.ca/substance-related-harms/opioids-stimulants/# fn3 HEROIN ALSO KNOWN AS: Brown, China White, H, Hero, Horse, Junk, Skag, Smack. Heroin is a highly addictive substance and withdrawal symptoms can be extremely painful. It is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed-pod of the Asian poppy plant. It’s important to know that illegal heroin found on the streets increasingly contains illegal fentanyl, a more powerful synthetic opioid, and carries a great risk of overdose. What does heroin look like and how is it used? In its pure form, heroin is a fine white, bitter tasting powder. Illegal heroin sold on the streets is usually mixed with powders that look similar, such as starch or sugar, and can vary in purity, colour and consistency. It can look like a white powder, a dark sticky gum or a brown grainy substance. Heroin can be injected, inhaled in powder form, or smoked – each method of use acts quickly on the brain and can lead to addiction. Those who snort or smoke heroin face the same high risk of overdose and death as intravenous users. Prescription Opioids and Heroin – an intertwined problem Prescription opioid pain medicines have effects that are similar to heroin. Research suggests that the problematic use of these drugs may open the door to heroin use. Data from 2011 showed that an estimated 4 to 6 percent who used prescription opioids switched to heroin and about continued
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