***Drug Alert - Kamloops - May 19, 2026***

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Kamloops and surrounding area. Purple/pink chunks/pebbles sold as down/dope/tranq/fentanyl were found to contain high amounts of medetomidine (16%) and fentanyl (29%). High risk of overdose and fatal overdose. Can cause dizziness, confusion, nausea, amnesia, sleepiness, and nodding out for a long time.

Medetomidine is a very strong non-opioid tranquilizer—much stronger than xylazine (200x).

It slows down breathing and heart rate and can make overdoses longer and more complicated. Medetomidine is potentially dangerous to the heart.

The high amount of fentanyl increases risk of fatal overdose. The combination of fentanyl and medetomidine can lead to significant sedation. Overdose symptoms may last beyond administration of naloxone. 

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 see poster for more information. 

 

Service Provider Information 

Local Substance Use Services: 310-MHSU

Drug Checking: ASK Wellness 250-299-7219 (call/text)

OPS and Drug Checking: Interior Health MHSU, 100-235 Lansdowne St. Mon-Fri 9-5. 250-377-6500

 

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 opioid agonist treatment (OAT), 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.