**Overdose Advisory - Prince Rupert - Dec 4, 2025**

There has been an increase in overdose events in the community of Prince Rupert. Overdoses are happening whether the substance is smoked and/or injected.

Click here for a poster. 

More info here:

https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/overdose-prevention

https://stories.northernhealth.ca/news/overdose-advisory-prince-rupert

Be cautious when using substances and follow the safety tips below:

• Get training to prevent, recognize, and respond to an overdose; carry naloxone.
• Don't use alone, make a plan and use with a trusted person who can call for help if needed.
• If you plan to use alone, use the Lifeguard app available free on the app store or on Toward the Heart website or call NORS (National Overdose Response Service) 1-888-688-6677 (NORS).
• Know your tolerance. If you are sick or had a time of abstinence or reduced use, use much less.
• Don't mix drugs or mix drugs with alcohol.
• Test a small amount first and go slow.
• Use in an OPS if possible.
• Access fentanyl drug checking where available (OPS sites).
• Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number right away if someone overdoses.

Local Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS)

• Prince Rupert Specialized MHSU Outreach
  Hours: 8:30 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week
  Phone: 778-884-0262, contact for drug checking, sample collection and harm reduction drops.
• Drug checking (Terrace)
  Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm
• Sample collection (Terrace)
  Hours: 8:30 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week

***Drug Alert - Powell River - December 2, 2025***

VCH has issued a drug alert.

Red chunk sold as down in Powell River tested positive for fentanyl, benzos and medetomidine, a veterinary tranquilizer more toxic than xylazine. May cause low heart rate and prolonged sedation.

Check your drugs in the qathet region: https://www.qcat.ca/check-your-drugs

 

VCH has issued a drug alert.

Purple chunk sold as down in Squamish tested positive for fentanyl, carfentanil, benzos and medetomidine, a veterinary tranquilizer more toxic than xylazine. May cause low heart rate and prolonged sedation.

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

***Toxic Drug Advisory - Fraser Health Region - Nov 28, 2025***

Medetomidine is increasingly being detected in the unregulated opioid supply across Fraser Health communities.

Medetomidine is a potent non-opioid sedative used in veterinary medicine. It is similar to xylazine ("tranq") but approximately 200 times more potent. Naloxone does not reverse the effects of medetomidine. It should still always be administered in suspected opioid poisonings. Be prepared for prolonged sedation and the need for continuous airway support and monitoring. Medetomidine withdrawal can lead to severe symptoms, most notably a rapid heart rate and dangerously high blood pressure.

Friends, family, and community members using unregulated substances may face increased harms of unknowingly taking different substances than intended.

See poster here for more details. 

***Drug Alert - Cranbrook - Nov 28, 2025***

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Cranbrook and surrounding area after a sample being sold as Down was found to contain of bromazolam (50%) and fentanyl (13%). Bromazolam is a benzodiazepine with a duration of 5-8 hours. Benzodiazepines produce amnesia and sedation. There has also been reports of an increase in non -fatal overdoses in the area. 

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. 

 

Service Provider Information 

Local Substance Use Services: 310-MHSU

ANKORS Drug Checking: 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: 

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.