Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Health Canada Imposes Ban On Powerful Street Drug Known As W-18

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Jun, 2016 01:14 PM
    OTTAWA — Health Canada is banning the powerful street drug W-18, which it says can be 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
     
     
    The synthetic opioid is being added to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and classed as a restricted drug under federal regulations.
     
    That means production, possession, importation or exportation and trafficking of the drug are now illegal.
     
    The department says W-18 has been used recreationally in Europe and Canada over the last two years.
     
    It says Canadian police have seized samples that were made to look like legitimate prescription tablets, such as oxycodone.
     
    The W-18 compound was developed in the 1980s as a potential pain reliever, but it was never marketed commercially and has no legitimate use, authorities say.
     
    "Synthetic, street-level opioids are extremely dangerous since they are often mixed with or disguised as other drugs prone to abuse, such as oxycodone or heroin," the department said in a news release.
     
    "When abused, they can cause serious injury and death."
     
    Health Minister Jane Philpott welcomed the ban.
     
    "Substances like W-18 are dangerous and have a significant negative impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our society," she said in a statement.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    2 Quebecers Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Mail Containing Cash

    2 Quebecers Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Mail Containing Cash
    SEPT-ILES, Que. — Quebec provincial police have arrested two suspects who allegedly stole mail that was filled with cash.

    2 Quebecers Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Mail Containing Cash

    Ont. Premier Kathleen Wynne Accepts Apology From Alberta Wildrose Party Member

    Ont. Premier Kathleen Wynne Accepts Apology From Alberta Wildrose Party Member
    The Ontario premier says she accepts the Opposition party's apology but suggests a man might not have been treated the same way.

    Ont. Premier Kathleen Wynne Accepts Apology From Alberta Wildrose Party Member

    Liberals Have Qualms About Trudeau's Plan To Transform Party Into Open Movement

    The prime minister is the driving force behind a proposed new, streamlined constitution for the party which would, among other things, do away entirely with the concept of paid membership.

    Liberals Have Qualms About Trudeau's Plan To Transform Party Into Open Movement

    B.C. Heads Back To Court To Seek Injunction To Shut Down Victoria Homeless Camp

    B.C. Heads Back To Court To Seek Injunction To Shut Down Victoria Homeless Camp
    Housing Minister Rich Coleman said Friday in an audio statement released by his ministry that the government will be back at court next week to apply for a interim injunction to dismantle the camp.

    B.C. Heads Back To Court To Seek Injunction To Shut Down Victoria Homeless Camp

    B.C. Liberal Candidate Randy Rinaldo Ends Campaign Over 'Insensitive' Tweets

    B.C. Liberal Candidate Randy Rinaldo Ends Campaign Over 'Insensitive' Tweets
    Randy Rinaldo announced Friday in a statement posted to Twitter that he had withdrawn his candidacy for the riding of Burnaby-Lougheed.

    B.C. Liberal Candidate Randy Rinaldo Ends Campaign Over 'Insensitive' Tweets

    Conservative Election Campaign Drove Muslims Away, Convention Hears

    Conservative Election Campaign Drove Muslims Away, Convention Hears
    Urz Heer, a turquoise scarf covering her hair, chastised her fellow Conservatives and party leadership, saying the campaign unfairly targeted her community.

    Conservative Election Campaign Drove Muslims Away, Convention Hears