***Drug Alert - Vancouver - July 7, 2025***

VCH has issued a drug alert.

Multiple samples (pink chunk, beige chunk, beige granules) sold as down in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver tested positive for piperidone, a precursor chemical used to make fentanyl, and negative for fentanyl itself. Substance may cause dizziness, nausea and abdominal pain.

Check your drugs: https://www.vch.ca/en/service/drug-checking

***Drug Advisory - Interior Region - July 7, 2025***

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG Advisory for the Interior Region for DOWN frequently containing Carfentanil. These samples frequently also contain benzodiazepines as well as tranquilizers. Carfentanil is considered up to 100X more potent than fentanyl. The combination of opioids with these substances amplify the effects of the drugs and significantly heighten the risk of fatal overdose.

• Smoking is not safer than injecting.  
• High risk of overdose and fatal overdose.
• Repeated doses of Naloxone may be required.

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

Please display the attached posters in high visibility locations and remove August 4.   

 

Service Provider Information:

Supervised Consumption and Overdose Prevention Services

Drug Checking services found at www.drugchecking.ca  

IH Mental Health Services: 310-MHSU 

Virtual Addiction Medicine Clinic (VAM)  

Our Virtual Addiction Medicine (VAM) clinic offers a full range of opioid agonist treatment (OAT), including buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone®), methadone, and slow-release oral morphine (SROM / Kadian®).  

How VAM works:  

• Our team works with you to assess your individual needs, develop a treatment plan, and help you achieve your goals  

• The VAM clinic is virtual, meaning your appointments will take place over the phone no matter where you are in the Interior Health region  

• The VAM clinic does not provide long-term care. Once you are comfortable with how your treatment is going, we will help you find health services in your community  

• If you need help managing prescribed safer supply or alternatives, supervised consumption, overdose prevention, supervised withdrawal from alcohol, or counselling, please contact your nearest Interior Health Mental Health and Substance Use centre at 310-MHSU (6478).   

• Click here to request an appointment.    

 

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 test strips or accessing drug checking services in your area, drug checking can inform you about what is in your drugs. Drug Checking services found at www.drugchecking.ca  

• Know the signs of an overdose and be prepared with naloxone. Find out where to get naloxone on the ‘Towards the Heart’ website, under ‘Find a site’.  

When using substances:  

• Use with others around  

• Use one person at a time so someone can respond to overdose if needed  

• When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow.  

• Know the risks when mixing drugs   

• Smoking is not safer than injecting, be cautious when smoking your drugs  

• If using 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.    

***Drug Alert - Nelson - July 2nd, 2025***

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Nelson and surrounding area for Pink Chunks/Powder/Pebbles sold as DOWN containing Fluorofentanyl, Ketamine and Benzodiazepine (unspecified).   

• High risk of overdose and fatal overdose.  

• Dizziness, dissociation and confusion. 

• Nausea, amnesia, sleepiness, nodding out for a long time.  
  
  
• Smoking is not safer than injecting.  

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. In higher doses, it can cause immobilization, loss of body control, dizziness and hallucinations. The combination of fluorofentanyl, ketamine and benzodiazepines can lead to significant sedation. Overdose symptoms may last beyond administration of naloxone. 

Click here for a printable poster. 

If you have a drug that looks like this, get it tested before using. Drug checking is available at ANKORS in Nelson. Call or text 236-972-7080 for more information.

 

 

***Drug Alert - Cranbrook - June 30, 2025***

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Cranbook and surrounding area for Pink Chunks/Powder/Pebbles sold as DOWN containing Fluorofentanyl, Ketamine and Benzodiazepine (unspecified).   

• High risk of overdose and fatal overdose.  

• Dizziness, dissociation and confusion. 

• Nausea, amnesia, sleepiness, nodding out for a long time.  
• Smoking is not safer than injecting.  

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. In higher doses, it can cause immobilization, loss of body control, dizziness and hallucinations. The combination of fluorofentanyl, ketamine and benzodiazepines can lead to significant sedation. Overdose symptoms may last beyond administration of naloxone. 

Click here for a printable poster

If you have a drug that looks like this, call or text 260-426-3383 to get it tested before using. Drug checking is available from 9 to 4 Mon-Fri (excluding holidays) at ANKORS in Cranbrook.

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

 

Service Provider Information:

 

IH Mental Health Services: 310-MHSU 

eOPS Nurse: 250-417-7056 

Drug Checking:  ANKORS (250)-426-3383 

 

Virtual Addiction Medicine Clinic (VAM)  

Our Virtual Addiction Medicine (VAM) clinic offers a full range of opioid agonist treatment (OAT), including buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone®), methadone, and slow-release oral morphine (SROM / Kadian®).  

How VAM works:  

• Our team works with you to assess your individual needs, develop a treatment plan, and help you achieve your goals  

• The VAM clinic is virtual, meaning your appointments will take place over the phone no matter where you are in the Interior Health region  

• The VAM clinic does not provide long-term care. Once you are comfortable with how your treatment is going, we will help you find health services in your community  

• If you need help managing prescribed safer supply or alternatives, supervised consumption, overdose prevention, supervised withdrawal from alcohol, or counselling, please contact your nearest Interior Health Mental Health and Substance Use centre at 310-MHSU (6478).   
• Click here to request an appointment.    

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 test strips or accessing drug checking services in your area, drug checking can inform you about what is in your drugs. Drug Checking services found at www.drugchecking.ca  

• Know the signs of an overdose and be prepared with naloxone. Find out where to get naloxone on the ‘Towards the Heart’ website, under ‘Find a site’.  

• When using substances:  

• Use with others around  

• Use one person at a time so someone can respond to overdose if needed  

• When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow.  

• Know the risks when mixing drugs   

• Smoking is not safer than injecting, be cautious when smoking your drugs  
• If using 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.