Date: Friday, October 3, 2025

Location: Winnipeg

Substance Sold As: Down
Visual Description: Dark green chunk/pebble

A deep green chunk/pebble bought as “down” was tested at Street Connections on September 19, 2025. As local testing only detected fentanyl (on FTIR and test strips), and the client reported that the sedative effects were atypical (longer than expected), the sample was sent for confirmatory testing at Health Canada Drug Analysis Services (DAS). Results from DAS testing (quantitative analysis) were found to contain:

• Fentanyl (4.51%)
• Medetomidine (1.63%)
• Caffeine (12.4%)
• (Erythritol 70%)

The sample also contained a fentanyl precursor, 4-anilino-N-phenethylpiperidine (4-ANPP) (3.23%).

Fentanyl is considered high potency synthetic opioid, considered to be up to 40 times stronger than heroin.

Medetomidine is a veterinary tranquilizer approved only for use on animals. It is stronger than xylazine. This drug last longer and the person may not wake up for a long time.

Caffeine is a stimulant normally found in coffee, and is often added to “down” samples. However, stimulants like caffeine DO NOT reverse the sedating and respiratory depression effects of opioids or tranquilizers.

This sample contained a mix of fentanyl, and an animal tranquilizer which can cause complex overdose/drug toxicity events that do not respond fully to naloxone. Using high-potency opioids in combination with animal tranquilizers increases the risk of dangerous suppression of vitals (e.g., slowing down of breathing, blood pressure, heart rate). 

Naloxone cannot reverse the sedative effects of non-opioid substances such as Medetomidine.

Original Photo
Source: Street Connections

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If you are using substances, please:

* Use with a friend and stagger your use
* Start low and go slow

* Have and know how to use naloxone

If you are using alone, consider calling a friend or the NORS line at 1-888-688-NORS so they can spot you.

Get your drugs checked:


Nine Circles, Tu/W/Th, 10am-4pm, parking lot door of 705 Broadway Ave

Street Connections, M/W/F, 8:30am-3:30pm, 496 Hargrave St
Mobile Overdose Prevention Site (MOPS) - Drug checking currently available

GetYourDrugsTested.com — Anonymous fee-based mail-in service

If you are experiencing grief from losing loved ones to drug toxicity, please know you are not alone. If you need to talk to someone, please call the crisis line at Klinic: 204-786-8686 or toll free 1-888-322-3019