Vancouver police issue fentanyl warning after man dies

One man wasdead and two others were in cardiac arrest when paramedics called police to a home in Vancouver lastSunday.

• Vancouver overdoses caused by fentanyl, not heroin
• Heroin overdoses spike in Vancouver

A 24-year-old man, who was found unresponsive in the home, died.

The cause of the man's death has yet to be established, but spokesman Const. Brian Montague said police seized oxycodone and ecstasy from the home.

He said lab tests are back and confirm the oxycodone, wasn't oxycodone. It was fentanyl.

Fentanylisa painkiller100times more potent than morphineand has been responsible for many overdose deaths over the last several years.

Montague said police suspect the man died of a drug overdose, buthis two friends survived.

In October, Vancouver policeissued a warning about fentanyl masquerading as heroin. It causedmore than 30 overdoses and one death that month.

John Carsley, Vancouver's medical health officer, warns fentanyl can show up in a variety of ways.

"No matter what the appearance of the drug being sold or what you are told it is," said Carsley, "there is never any guarantee you are buying what you think you are buying. It may be stronger, contaminated or contain a completely different substance.

Carsley said police and health officials warn against the use of street drugs, but recommend those who do use, not consume them while alone, and be alert to the symptoms of an overdose.

Where possible, police and health officials recommend the use of the supervised injection site,Insite, which is staffed by medical personnel who can intervene in the event of a drug overdose.