Within a fraction of a second, Speedy says he knew something was wrong.
In September, the longtime drug user, who didn’t want CBC to use his real name, unwittingly smoked fentanyl spiked with a benzodiazepine.
He says he seized up and just managed to make it to a safe space before he lost control of his body.
“For five hours, I just held on,” he said.
Benzodiazepine, which is typically prescribed as a sedative, is dangerous when paired with an opioid like fentanyl, because the sedation increases the risk of an overdose, according to Health Canada. Withdrawal symptoms can include extreme anxiety, sweats and dangerous seizures.
