Tag: alert

Trail and area Drug Alert

Posted on by Antoine

Interior Health – Trail

Down in Trail has been found to contain Fentanyl (34%), Benzodiazepines (Bromazolam 4%, Flubromazepam 1%) alongside with caffeine. These results are accurate as they have been verified by PS-MS at Substance (UVIC).

Risk:

High risk of overdose and death. Risk of unconsciousness not resolved by Naloxone.

Symptoms:

More drowsy than usual, Memory Loss, Nausea, Heavy Nod, Dizziness, Associated with multiple overdoses.

Overdose response:

Naloxone does not work on Benzos, BUT naloxone will work on the opioid overdose symptoms.  After giving breaths and naloxone, the person may begin breathing normally, but may not wake up. More doses of naloxone should only be given if the person is not breathing normally (less than 10 breaths a minute). If the person is breathing normally but remains unconscious, place in recovery position and stay with them until emergency services arrive.

No matter what or how you use (oral, smoking, snorting, injecting) take steps to prevent overdose

  • Before using, get your drugs checked to find out if what your Down contains.
  • Find locations at www.drugchecking.ca
  • Be aware of possible heavy sedation
  • Be aware of risk if mixing with other drugs, including alcohol
  • Use with others around or at an Overdose Prevention Site (OPS)
  • Start with a small amount and space out your doses
  • Carry naloxone and know how to use it
  • Get the LifeGuard App – lifeguarddh.com
  • Call 211 or visit bc211.ca to find services near you

Here is a link to download a printable version of this poster.

South Okanagan Drug Alert – Beige Down

Posted on by Lesley Coates

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for the South Okanagan after an increase in overdose activity associated with a beige substance sold as ‘Down/Fentanyl’. This substance has been found to contain Fentanyl with no cuts/buffs (additives).

 Risk

High risk of overdose and  death. 

 Please be aware of safer drug use tips that can help prevent overdose as well as where to access naloxone, drug checking and other overdose prevention services in your community. 

No matter what or how you use (smoking, snorting, injecting) take steps to prevent overdose

  • Know the risks when mixing drugs
  • If you must use while alone, consider using the Lifeguard app which can connect you with 911 emergency responders if you overdose. Download at the App Store or Google Play.   
  • When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow.
  • Use with others or at an Overdose Prevention or Supervised Consumption Site, if one is near you.
  • Know how to respond to an overdose – call 911, give rescue breaths and naloxone.

Nelson Drug Alert

Posted on by Lesley Coates

Interior Health – Nelson

Meth in Nelson has been found to also contain fentanyl and benzos.

Sold as Meth, Side, Methamphetamine. Test your meth for presence of fentanyl!

Risk:

Risk of overdose with severe complications including death.

Overdose response:

Naloxone does not work on Benzos, BUT naloxone will work on the opioid overdose symptoms.  After giving breaths and naloxone, the person may begin breathing normally, but may not wake up. More doses of naloxone should only be given if the person is not breathing normally (less than 10 breaths a minute). If the person is breathing normally but remains unconscious, place in recovery position and stay with them until emergency services arrive.

No matter what or how you use (oral, smoking, snorting, injecting) take steps to prevent overdose

  • Know the risks when mixing drugs
  • If you must use while alone, consider using the Lifeguard app which can connect you with 911 emergency responders if you overdose. Download at the App Store or Google Play.   
  • When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow.
  • Use with others or at an Overdose Prevention or Supervised Consumption Site, if one is near you.
  • Know how to respond to an overdose – call 911, give rescue breaths and naloxone.

 

Here is a link to download a printable version of this poster.

Penticton Drug Alert

Posted on by Lesley Coates

Interior Health – Penticton

Drug samples in Penticton have been found to contain a higher than average amount of fentanyl and benzodiazepines. In this case, Etizolam was the benzo detected.

The samples have been sold as “down” or fentanyl –  usually in a darker purple chunky texture.

Risk:

High risk of overdose with severe complications including death.  Substances containing benzodiazepine can cause prolonged sedation (several hours).

Overdose response:

Naloxone does not work on Benzos, BUT naloxone will work on the opioid overdose symptoms.  After giving breaths and naloxone, the person may begin breathing normally, but may not wake up. More doses of naloxone should only be given if the person is not breathing normally (less than 10 breaths a minute). If the person is breathing normally but remains unconscious, place in recovery position and stay with them until emergency services arrive.

No matter what or how you use (smoking, snorting, injecting) take steps to prevent overdose

  • Know the risks when mixing drugs
  • If you must use while alone, consider using the Lifeguard app which can connect you with 911 emergency responders if you overdose. Download at the App Store or Google Play.   
  • When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow.
  • Use with others or at an Overdose Prevention or Supervised Consumption Site, if one is near you.
  • Know how to respond to an overdose – call 911, give rescue breaths and naloxone.

 

Here is a link to download a printable version of this poster.

Interior Health Wide Drug Alert

Posted on by Lesley Coates

All communities of Interior Health

Multiple drug samples in communities across the region have been found to contain Up to 55% fentanyl (Average is +/- 10%).

Up to 25%  of benzodiazepine (Average is +/- 1 to 2%) has also been detected in some samples.

The samples have been sold as “down”, heroin, or fentanyl – a wide range of colours and textures have been identified.

Risk:

High risk of overdose with severe complications including death.  Substances containing benzodiazepine can cause prolonged sedation (several hours).

Overdose response:

Naloxone does not work on Benzos, BUT naloxone will work on the opioid overdose symptoms.  After giving breaths and naloxone, the person may begin breathing normally, but may not wake up. More doses of naloxone should only be given if the person is not breathing normally (less than 10 breaths a minute). If the person is breathing normally but remains unconscious, place in recovery position and stay with them until emergency services arrive.

No matter what or how you use (smoking, snorting, injecting) take steps to prevent overdose

  • Know the risks when mixing drugs
  • If you must use while alone, consider using the Lifeguard app which can connect you with 911 emergency responders if you overdose. Download at the App Store or Google Play.   
  • When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow.
  • Use with others or at an Overdose Prevention or Supervised Consumption Site, if one is near you.
  • Know how to respond to an overdose – call 911, give rescue breaths and naloxone.

 

Here is a link to download a printable version of this poster.