kelowna – Interior Health Drug Checking

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.

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.