Interior Health is warning people about a potent synthetic substance in Kamloops that can cause drug users to enter a zombie-like state.
They say recent tests of beige pebbles found in Kamloops contained caffeine, heroin, fentanyl, and a synthetic cannabinoid called AMB-FUBINACA.
It’s commonly known as K-2, spice, kronic, or fake weed and was detected using the Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometer.
The synthetic cannabinoid is linked to an episode of overdoses in Brooklyn, New York four years ago where 18 men were found in a “zombie-like” state.
AMB-FUBINACA causes “speedy, trippy-like symptoms” with hallucinations.
Health officials say it is up to 30 to 500 times more potent than THC, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis.
In high doses, users can appear to be having what looks like an opioid overdose, but they will not respond to Naloxone.
-With files from the Canadian Press
KAMLOOPS – Important Community Warning
A synthetic cannabinoid has been detected in suspected fentanyl. In high doses, AMB-FUBINACA can look like an opioid overdose but will not respond to naloxone. For your safety, please take additional precautions. #StopOverdose pic.twitter.com/rwvl311NM1— Interior Health (@Interior_Health) April 19, 2019
