RCMP issue warning over synthetic opioids that resemble Xanax medication

A city-wide warning regarding an Edmonton police seizure of synthetic opioids that resemble name-brand anti-anxiety medications has turned into a provincial warning after a teen was found dead.

EPS said earlier this week that in June, officers intercepted a package that contained hundreds of pills that resemble “Xanax” medication.

Those pills were later tested and confirmed to have been made with a highly potent opioid known as isotonitazene.

Now, Alberta RCMP is warning the province to be on alert regarding the dangerous opioid.

“We are investigating the death of a 16-year-old youth where there is a nexus to isotonitazene. Parents, relatives, and other community members need to share this information as much as possible, and especially so now that school is out.” Says RCMP Public Information Officer Cpl. Troy Savinkoff.

“Yes, the drugs are illegal, but more important is that the public knows the extreme danger that this dangerous replica can pose. We are working to interdict the supply and notify the public. Please look at the photos, share them with your kids, friends, and relatives, and let them know that these pills could kill them”.

Police have described the pills as “containing isotonitazene, (which) can be described as grey in appearance and in the shape of a rectangle. The pill imprint ‘ONAX’ is located on one side of the pill and ‘2’ is located on the other side.”

Both EPS and the RCMP are warning the public that medications that aren’t prescribed directly by a medical professional are never safe to ingest and pose a risk to health and safety.

If anyone has any information regarding replica prescriptions, contact Mounties at 310-7267.