***Drug Alert - IH Region - Feb 11, 2026***

Interior Heath has issued a IH REGIONAL DRUG ALERT after multiple samples being sold as “Down, Dope, Tranq or Fentanyl” were found to contain Medetomidine (up to 15%) in addition to Carfentanil and Benzodiazepines. 

The down supply is unpredictable. High concentrations of opioids and medetomidine as well as multiple new benzodiazepines increase risk. The combination of opioids, benzodiazepines and medetomidine can lead to significant sedation. 

Medetomidine

• Medetomidine causes deep, prolonged sedation, respiratory depression, slowed heart rate (bradycardia), confusion, and hypothermia.
• It does not respond to naloxone, although naloxone should still be administered when opioid involvement is suspected. Overdose symptoms may last beyond administration of naloxone.
• When combined with opioids or other sedatives, medetomidine can lead to complex and prolonged toxicity, with withdrawal that may be severe and difficult to treat. 

Resources for responding to medetomidine overdose

• Medetomidine info sheet
• Prolonged Sedation Response
• Responding to low heart rate
• December 2025 – Down Supply Update – Interior Health Drug Checking

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 attached poster for more information.

 

Service Provider Information 

Local Substance Use Services: 310-MHSU

Find drug checking services near you at drucgchecking.ca

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 therapy (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: 

o   Use with others around 

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

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

o   Know the risks when mixing drugs  

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

o   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.   

BCCDC is issuing a province-wide alert because of an increase in drug poisonings.

Opioids/down now often contain the sedative medetomidine.

Watch for sedation, low heart rate. Use drug checking. Use at an OPS/SCS or with a buddy.

Learn more: Medetomidine Advisory Poster