Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Vigilance: Circulation of an unidentified substance with a fatal risk
News
Diseases, Prevention, Alerts
September 8, 2023
The ARS was alerted by the addictovigilance and toxicovigilance systems of the circulation of not yet identified substances having led to very serious and/or fatal overdoses in Reunion. 3 people died and 6 were hospitalized in intensive care. According to the first investigations carried out, these are synthetic opiates 500 times more powerful than heroin.
The prefect of Reunion Island and the general director of the ARS recommend the greatest vigilance to consumers of tobacco and synthetic products.
Point position
Synthetic opioids are very powerful and present a major risk of overdose, seconds or minutes after taking the product .
These products can be smoked, vaporized, injected, ingested, inhaled, snorted, with or without the consumer's knowledge.
Overdose can lead to death in the absence of rapid medical attention.
In Reunion, since the end of June 2023, 13 poisonings have been recorded in people aged 21 to 46, including:
Recommendations to consumers and those around them
The ARS recommends the greatest caution when consuming narcotic products, particularly tobacco-based:
Information for healthcare professionals
Information on the situation and the action to be taken was sent:
https://www.lareunion.ars.sante.fr/vigilance-circulation-dune-substance-non-identifiee-risque-mortel
News
Diseases, Prevention, Alerts
September 8, 2023
The ARS was alerted by the addictovigilance and toxicovigilance systems of the circulation of not yet identified substances having led to very serious and/or fatal overdoses in Reunion. 3 people died and 6 were hospitalized in intensive care. According to the first investigations carried out, these are synthetic opiates 500 times more powerful than heroin.
The prefect of Reunion Island and the general director of the ARS recommend the greatest vigilance to consumers of tobacco and synthetic products.
Point position
Synthetic opioids are very powerful and present a major risk of overdose, seconds or minutes after taking the product .
These products can be smoked, vaporized, injected, ingested, inhaled, snorted, with or without the consumer's knowledge.
Overdose can lead to death in the absence of rapid medical attention.
In Reunion, since the end of June 2023, 13 poisonings have been recorded in people aged 21 to 46, including:
- 3 died at home,
- 6 were hospitalized in intensive care.
- brutal asphyxia sets in because these substances have a direct effect on the cerebral respiratory centers,
- then the person is unable to breathe .
Recommendations to consumers and those around them
The ARS recommends the greatest caution when consuming narcotic products, particularly tobacco-based:
- If you are a smoker: NEVER accept a cigarette or other product whose origin you do not know.
- If you notice that a person has unusual symptoms during or after consuming products, particularly tobacco: call 15 IMMEDIATELY and explain the context.
| More information on www.drogues-info-service.fr : What are new synthetic products? Need help ? |
Information for healthcare professionals
Information on the situation and the action to be taken was sent:
- to hospital, liberal and emergency healthcare professionals, SOS doctors
- to associations (SAOME, etc.)
- to free information, screening and diagnosis centers (CeGIDD)
- to addiction care, support and prevention centers (CSAPA)
https://www.lareunion.ars.sante.fr/vigilance-circulation-dune-substance-non-identifiee-risque-mortel