New drug is 10,000 times more powerful than morphine

Authorities say a new and powerful street drug has made its way to the United States from Canada. The new drug, known as W-18, is a synthetic opioid that scientists say is 10,000 times more powerful than morphine, according to WFSB. First responders told WFSB that a very small amount of W-18 is enough to kill someone.

The drug was developed about 30 years ago in a Canadian lab as an alternative pain reliever. Because the drug was so strong, pharmaceutical companies never picked it up. A Chinese lab later began mass producing the psychoactive drug and selling it online, according to VICE News. READ MORE