Fentanyl suspected in death of North Vancouver man, say RCMP

Police in North Vancouver say aman is dead following an apparent overdose of the powerful synthetic opioidfentanyl, but the B.C. Coroner's office saysfentanylmay not have been involved in this particular case.

The 31-year-old was found in distress by a family member on Friday. Police say despite efforts to save the man's life, he died on scene.

North Vancouver RCMP Cpl. Geoff Harder told CBC Newsa green circular pill with 80 stamped on one side and CDMstamped on the other was found nearby.

That's consistent withother dangerous drugs found in the Lower Mainland that are believed to beOxyContincut withfentanyl.

• Teen dead from suspected fentanyl overdose 'had a bright future'
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"We won't know for certain the cause of death, [but]even the suspicion of a link tofentanylwarrants another public safety announcement," saidHarder in a statement.

However, Coroner Barb McLintock said the death doesn't fit the profile of the most commonfentanyl-involvedoverdoses.

McLintocksaid there were 10 deaths caused bydrug overdoses in B.C. over the long weekend;toxicology test are underway to determine their cause.

"Until we do toxicology, we have absolutely no idea how many of the10 mayor may not have involvedfentanyl,"she said.

RCMPwarnthat all drug users should be cautious nonetheless.

"Ifyou use street drugs, you should take precautions.The risk of overdosing while using opiate-based drugs, including fentanyl, is high."

Fentanyl-related deaths on the rise in B.C.

Fentanyl is roughly 50 to 100 times more toxic than morphineand is sometimes mixed in with other recreational drugs with or without users' knowledge.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control says the number of drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl has risenfrom five per cent to 25 per cent over the past three years.

A 17-year-old boy died, and a 16-year-old boy fell seriously ill, after allegedly taking fake Oxycontin mixed with fentanylin Vancouver over the weekend.

• Fentanyl suspected in death of Vancouver teen

Less than two weeksearlier,North Vancouver coupleAmelia and Hardy Leighton were found dead in their home after ingesting toxic levels of fentanyl in combination with other drugs.

• Hardy and Amelia Leighton's death due to fentanyl, other drugs, coroner says