The Montreal Public Health Department has plans to launch a pilot project that will allow drug addicts in the city to have their drugs such as cocaine and heroin, tested for the presence of fentanyl.
The medical chief, Dr. Carole Morissette, tells Radio Canada that a recent study of drug users showed that one in five had traces of fentanyl in their system and testing would allow some to make a more informed decision such as consuming less of a drug or not taking it.
The methodology and means of testing remains to be decided and Morrissette says the project is still months away.
Fentanyl is about 100 times more potent than morphine.