Information For Alerts and People Who Use Substances
This page contains important information about staying safe. Use this page for the latest on signing up for Toxic Drug and Public Health Alerts, as well as accessing overdose prevention, drug checking and substance use services in BC.
Alerts
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Northern Health/FNHA - Overdose Advisory - Prince RupertDecember 04, 2025 • Posted by Northern Health and FNHA
**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.
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
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VCH - Drug Alert - Powell RiverDecember 02, 2025 • Posted by Vancouver Coastal Health
***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
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VCH - Drug Alert - SquamishDecember 02, 2025 • Posted by Vancouver Coastal
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
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Fraser Health - Toxic Drug Advisory - Regional November 28, 2025 • Posted by Fraser Health
***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.
Toxic Drug and Health Alerts
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Health Authority Regions Map
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Instructions
- MENU to see all the options and tools for this service
- FIND to find harm reduction supplies
- NARCAN to learn where naloxone kits are available
- SAFE to find overdose prevention sites
- TREAT to find substance use treatment and support services
- OD to tell us about toxic drugs so we can warn others
- MAP to confirm or change the area you want to receive alerts for
- HELP (or AIDE) for help with this text service
- STOP (or ARRET) to stop receiving texts from this number
- START (or COMMENCER) to rejoin this service after texting STOP
Send and receive Toxic Drug and Health Alerts by text
To sign up, text the word JOIN to 253787 (ALERTS).
When you sign up you’ll be asked which health region you want to get alerts for. You can choose more than one region or sign up for the whole province. You will receive alerts for all of B.C. if you do not choose an area. To find out which health region you live in, look here.
Once you’ve signed up, you can text the following words for more options:
For more information about texting, read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
- Print Resources
Sign up and receive Toxic Drug and Health Alerts by text.
Toward the Heart and BCCDC have partnered with health authority and community partners to send anonymous toxic drug and health alerts by text in B.C.
Toxic drug and health alerts is a free, real-time text messaging service for anyone to receive toxic drug alerts or share information about toxic drugs in their community. This service is anonymous.
People can get other information by text message, like where to find naloxone or how to get drugs tested.
Toxic drug and health alerts are currently available in Interior, Fraser, Northern, Vancouver Island, and Vancouver Coastal Health regions.
To sign up, text the word JOIN to 253787 (ALERTS). Message and data rates may apply.
HelpStartsHere
For more information on mental health, wellbeing, and substance use resources and supports visit HelpStartsHere (gov.bc.ca).
Indigenous Health Resources
The BCCDC Indigenous Health Resources page has information for Indigenous peoples and communities including supports and services for peope who use substances.
Virtual Overdose Prevention Services
Connect is a life-saving app that links app users to mental health and substance use resources. A key feature is the Use Alone Timer to stay protected during substance use.
App users can begin the timer prior to consumption and reset the timer when they are safe. If they become unresponsive, paramedics will be automatically alerted.
The National Overdose Response Service is an overdose prevention hotline for Canadians, providing loving, confidential, nonjudgmental support for you whenever and wherever you use drugs. Canada Wide.
Call 1-888-688-NORS(6677)
Overdose Prevention Sites
Overdose Prevention Sites are locations where people can use illegal drugs under supervision by trained staff who can provide emergency response services if necessary. The Health Authority links below have the most current information.
Vancouver Coastal | Interior BC | Vancouver Island | Northern BC | Fraser
Drug Checking Services
Drug checking services are now offered by a variety of harm reduction service providers across BC. The links below include the most current information.
Vancouver Coastal | Interior BC | Vancouver Island | Northern BC | Fraser
For more information and locations see:
- BC Centre on Substance Use: https://drugcheckingbc.ca/
- Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project: substance.uvic.ca
Find Overdose Prevention Sites
Choose "Overdose Prevention Site" from the supply options below.
Updates
Report Bad Dope (Greater Vancouver)
Help warn people and save lives by filling in an anonymous form.
Prevent & Respond to Overdoses
Know the risks, signs and responses for the different kinds of overdoses.
Safer Sex & Drug Use
While nothing is completely safe, there are ways you can reduce your risk.
