Police in Kouvola say that several people have died in the city so far year due to possible overdoses of a drug known in street trade as "Tippa", or "Drop" in English.
It is believed, however, that only a small amount of the highly potent drug has made its way to the city.
"The substance may have been smuggled in or ended up in Kouvola some other way," says Detective Inspector Lari Rönkä of the South-East Finland Police.
Rönkä added that the matter came to light during a cause of death investigation. The police do not normally disclose details relating to the investigation of cause of death to the public, but decided in this case to issue a public warning about the drug because, according to the police, it is extremely dangerous.
"It is likely to be a small batch and not a major problem. But we didn't want to wait and see," Rönkä said.
Exact composition not known
Police do not yet have precise information about the chemical composition of the substance. However, it has been established in laboratory tests that it is a synthetic opioid.
According to Rönkä, there are two reasons why the drug is so dangerous. Firstly, it is a synthetic opioid, which can cause problems when consumed along with other drugs.
"Combined use can cause unconsciousness followed by respiratory distress, which leads to death," Rönkä noted.
As a synthetic opioid, the drug is also very potent. Rönkä said its street name stems from the fact that it is sold one drop at a time.
"A very small amount is bought and one drop is used for several doses. Therefore, the risk of overdose is very high," he explained.
The police are not aware of any overdose deaths from this drug elsewhere in Finland.
Lives could be saved
Jenny Kaasinen-Wickman of the A-Clinic Foundation, an organisation that works to prevent and reduce the harmful impacts of substance abuse and addiction, told Yle that there has been a mistaken belief in Finland that a rapid, large scale spread of synthetic opioids in the illicit Finnish drug market is unlikely.
Kaasinen-Wickman has years of experience working in the field, including in outreach work.
"Finland's neighbours, such as Estonia, have a very serious problem with synthetic opioid use," she pointed out, adding Finland should be prepared for more widespread problematic use of opioids.
Among those preparations could be the introduction of drug consumption rooms for people at risk as well as the use naloxone, an antidote to opioids. In addition, substance abuse counsellors working on the streets would save lives.
Awareness in Kouvola
Officials of the regional Kymenlaakso wellbeing services county are aware that the drug is in circulation in the area.
Sonja Eerola, head of the psychiatric and substance abuse services, says they have heard from individuals who told them they have a friend who has used the drug.
"Patients have spontaneously told us that they are worried about a friend," she says.
However, until now staff did not have a name for the drug causing the concern.
"Some patients said that there is a really strong drug available as drops. Now we have concluded that it is the same substance," Eerola said.
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