Tag: fentanyl

Penticton Drug Alert

Posted on by Antoine

Penticton Drug Alert

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for PENTICTON after a sample sold as methamphetamine was found to contain undiluted fentanyl. There is a very high risk of overdose.

Here is a link to download a printer friendly version of this poster.

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

  • Check your drugs before using! Whether using take home fentanyl testing strips or accessing FTIR technicians in your area, drug checking can inform you about what is in your drugs.
  • Crush your drugs into fine powder: Doing so reduces the chance of hot-spots, which are spikes of concentrated fentanyl in the dope.
  • Be a buddy: Help a friend by being around while they are using. Stagger use if you are using together.
  • Smoking is not safer than injecting, be cautious when smoking your drugs
  • Know the risks when mixing drugs
  • When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow.
  • Know the signs of an overdose and be prepared with naloxone.
  • 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.   

Kelowna Drug Alert

Posted on by Antoine

Kelowna Drug Alert

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for KELOWNA after a sample being sold as DOWN was found to contain over 60% Fentanyl and over 10% Bromazolam (Benzodiazepine). There is a high risk of overdose and a high risk of fatal overdose.

Here is a link to download a printer friendly version of this poster.

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

  • Check your drugs before using! Whether using take home fentanyl testing strips or accessing FTIR technicians in your area, drug checking can inform you about what is in your drugs.
  • Crush your drugs into fine powder: Doing so reduces the chance of hot-spots, which are spikes of concentrated fentanyl in the dope.
  • Be a buddy: Help a friend by being around while they are using. Stagger use if you are using together.
  • Smoking is not safer than injecting, be cautious when smoking your drugs
  • Know the risks when mixing drugs
  • When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow.
  • Know the signs of an overdose and be prepared with naloxone.
  • 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.   

Penticton Drug Alert

Posted on by Antoine

Penticton Drug Alert

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for PENTICTON after a sample was found to contain undiluted or “uncut” para-fluorofentanyl, a substance with strength and effects similar to fentanyl. There is a high risk of overdose.

Here is a link to download a printer friendly version of this poster.

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

  • Check your drugs before using! Whether using take home fentanyl testing strips or accessing FTIR technicians in your area, drug checking can inform you about what is in your drugs.
  • Crush your drugs into fine powder: Doing so reduces the chance of hot-spots, which are spikes of concentrated fentanyl in the dope.
  • Be a buddy: Help a friend by being around while they are using. Stagger use if you are using together.
  • Smoking is not safer than injecting, be cautious when smoking your drugs
  • Know the risks when mixing drugs
  • When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow.
  • Know the signs of an overdose and be prepared with naloxone.
  • 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.   

Vernon Drug Alert

Posted on by Antoine

Penticton Drug Alert

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for VERNON after a sample being sold as CRACK was found to contain 30-35% Fentanyl, 5-10% Bromazolam (Benzodiazepine) and Xylazine. This is believed to be connected with multiple drug poisoning events in the community. There is a high risk of overdose and a high risk of fatal overdose.

Here is a link to download a printer friendly version of this poster.

 

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

  • Check your drugs before using! Whether using take home fentanyl testing strips or accessing FTIR technicians in your area, drug checking can inform you about what is in your drugs.
  • Crush your drugs into fine powder: Doing so reduces the chance of hot-spots, which are spikes of concentrated fentanyl in the dope.
  • Be a buddy: Help a friend by being around while they are using. Stagger use if you are using together.
  • Smoking is not safer than injecting, be cautious when smoking your drugs
  • Know the risks when mixing drugs
  • When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow.
  • Know the signs of an overdose and be prepared with naloxone.
  • 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.   

Penticton Drug Alert

Posted on by Antoine

Penticton Drug Alert

Multiple samples of DOWN with higher than average amount of fentanyl have been identified in Penticton.

Sold as Down, Fentanyl – Grey Pebbles

Contains:

  • Higher to much higher than average concentration of fentanyl and fentanyl analogue.

Risk:

High risk of overdose, High risk of fatal overdose.

Using in the cold can increase risk of overdose.

Smoking is NOT safer than injecting. Take care when smoking drugs by using a little at a time and waiting a few minutes, as some effects can take longer to appear.

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.

Nelson Drug Alert

Posted on by Antoine

Nelson Drug Alert

DOWN with high concentration of fentanyl, fentanyl analogue and benzodiazepine.

Sold as Down, Fentanyl – Yellow and Green Chunks and Pebbles

Contains:

  • High concentration of fentanyl and and fentanyl analogue. Higher than average concentration.

    Positive for benzodiazepines

Risk:

High risk of overdose, High risk of fatal overdose.

Mixing with alcohol can be especially dangerous.

Focus on breathing if naloxone appears to not resolve overdose symptoms.

Using in the cold increases chances of overdose.

Smoking is NOT safer than injecting. Take care when smoking drugs by using a little at a time and waiting a few minutes, as some effects can take longer to appear.

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.

Cranbrook Drug Alert

Posted on by Antoine

Cranbrook Drug Alert

Multiple samples of DOWN with higher than average amount of fentanyl have been identified Cranbrook.

Sold as Down, Fentanyl – Red/Orange Chunks

Contains:

  • Higher to much higher than average concentration of fentanyl, analogue or both. 
  • Benzodiazepines.

Risk:

High risk of overdose, High risk of fatal overdose.

Using in the cold can increase risk of overdose.

Mixing with alcohol can be especially dangerous.

Smoking is NOT safer than injecting. Take care when smoking drugs by using a little at a time and waiting a few minutes, as some effects can take longer to appear.

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.

Kelowna and Vernon Drug Alert

Posted on by Antoine

Kelowna and Vernon Drug Alert

Multiple samples of DOWN with high concentration of benzodiazepine and fentanyl have been identified in Kelowna and Vernon

Sold as Down, Fentanyl White / Light Pink Powder.

Contains:

  • High concentration of fentanyl. Higher than average.
  • Very high concentration of bromazolam (10-20%) , a strong benzodiazepine. 

Risk:

High risk of overdose, High risk of fatal overdose.

Mixing with alcohol can be especially dangerous.

Focus on breathing if naloxone appears to not resolve overdose symptoms.

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.

Nelson Drug Alert

Posted on by Antoine

Interior Health – Nelson

Down in Nelson has been found to contain high levels of fentanyl, fluorofentanyl and benzos.

Sold as Down, Fentanyl.

 

Contains:

8% Fentanyl

21% Fluorofentanyl (Fentanyl analogue) *

2% Bromazolam (Benzodiazepine)

*Fluorofentanyl potency is not well understood. It can be more potent than standard fentanyl. This means this drug could be very strong.

Risk:

High risk of overdose with severe complications including death. Loss of consciousness is possible. Passing out for long periods and amnesia are also potential effects.

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.

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.