CBC, Oct. 17, 2019: "'Street valium' deaths prompt public health warning"

'Street valium' deaths prompt public health warning

A drug that's 10 times more toxic than Valium and is often mixed with powerful opioids has killed at least five people this year in Ontario, and public health officials worry there may be more deaths.

Etizolam isn't approved for sale in North America, but illicit forms of the anti-anxiety medication are popping up in Ontario, both on their own and in combination with other drugs.

"We're quite anxious and concerned about the potential entry of this new drug to the illicit market across the province," said Dr. Kieran Moore, chief medical officer for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health.

Etizolam overdoses directly caused five deaths in the first six months of 2019 and seven in 2018, Moore told Ontario Morning Thursday.

In Kingston, Ont., alone, three additional deaths have been linked to etizolam abuse so far this year because the drug was detected in the individuals' bloodstream, though they're believed to have died from another cause....

Read the full article here:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/etizolam-combination-drug-deaths-ontario-1.5324541