Powerfully strong opioids such as morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl were first introduced on the market by pharmaceutical companies as pain control medications. Our investigation looked into how the drugs are prescribed in Saskatchewan, and how they move from the pharmacy shelf into the hands of dealers. In addition, illicit drug labs have been able to replicate the molecular structure of the prescription drugs, and modify them into more powerful forms. These drugs make their way into Canada from other countries, following a path through rural prairie towns to cities like Regina and Saskatoon, leaving a path of addiction in their wake.
