9-month-old boy exposed to powerful opioid carfentanil, Winnipeg police confirm

Test results confirm that anine-month-old Winnipeg boy hospitalizedin October was exposed to carfentanil, an opioid100 times stronger than fentanyl, police say.

"It's scary,"Winnipeg policeConst. JasonMichalyshen said. "This is a drug that's in our community and we can't ignore it."

• Infant found in critical condition in home

The boy was rushed to hospital in critical condition with respiratory issues on Oct. 18, but his condition later stabilized. Police saidat the time they suspected he came into contact with what was possibly fentanyl residue found in an AikinsStreet home in the North End of the city.

On Tuesday, police said test results showed the boy was likely exposed to carfentanil.

Our concern was very, very serious before. [It's] even more concerning [now].- Const. JasonMichalyshen

Police sent their clandestine lab unit tothe infant'shome to investigate due to the toxicity of fentanyl. Thesyntheticopioidis 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the U.S.Centersfor Disease Control.

Police found about half an ounce of loose powder originally suspected to be fentanyl, 10 ounces of bagged suspected fentanyl powder, blotting tabs, a cutting agent and a contaminated bowl and spoon.

'A wake-up call'

Michalyshen told reporters further analysis revealed carfentanil, not fentanyl, was present in the home.

"Our concern was very, very serious before. [It's] even more concerning knowing the effects of carfentanil,"he said."We all know this isn't just a police matter.... It's a wake-up call for I think the entire community."

One microgram of carfentanil is smaller than a grain of salt, and as little as20 micrograms is consideredfatal to most people.

The parents of the boy were later charged with failing to provide the necessities of life, child neglect, drug possession and traffickingoffences.

Michalyshen added that police have been actively working withcommunity organizations and medical professionals to try to raise awareness aboutcarentanil and fentanyl, both of which "may be hiding" in other street drugs.

• 'It's scary stuff': Deadly drug carfentanil now in Winnipeg

"We know that there are people in our community who are suffering, and we're really trying hard to get some messaging out to the public with respect to individuals who are engaging in incredibly hazardous behaviour," he said.

"They'renot going to smell it, they're not going to taste it.But the bottom line is it could kill you it can't get more simple than that."