Toxic Drug and Health Alerts
This page contains information about the Toxic Drug and Health Alerts system in BC.
Alerts
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VCH - Drug Alert - VancouverApril 27, 2026 • Posted by Vancouver Coastal Health
***Drug Alert - Vancouver - April 27, 2026***
VCH has issued a drug alert.
White powder sold as down in southeast Vancouver tested negative for fentanyl and positive for medetomidine, a toxic veterinary tranquilizer.
Check your drugs: https://www.vch.ca/en/service/drug-checking
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Interior Health - Drug Alert - PentictonApril 24, 2026 • Posted by Interior Health
***Drug Alert - Penticton - April 24, 2026***
Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Penticton and surrounding area. A tablet sold as dilaudid / dillies / hydromorphone was found to contain cychlorphine. It does not contain hydromorphone. Cychlorphine is an opioid approximately 10x the potency of fentanyl. Using illicit tablets is not recommended due to the heightened risk of overdose. Be aware of risk of fakes, if not purchasing from a pharmacy.
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
Penticton Drug Checking: 250-328-9616
Penticton OPS: 250-274-2110
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.
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VCH - Drug Alert - SquamishApril 22, 2026 • Posted by Vancouver Coastal Health
***Drug Alert - Squamish - April 22, 2026***
Multiple substances (green/yellow, red) sold as down in Squamish have tested positive for fentanyl, benzos and medetomidine. Substances have caused overdose.
Check your drugs: https://www.vch.ca/en/service/drug-checking
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Northern Health/FNHA - Toxic Drug Alert - Prince GeorgeApril 17, 2026 • Posted by Northern Health and FNHA
***Toxic Drug Alert - Prince George - April 17, 2026***
Northern Health and FNHA are issuing a Toxic Drug Alert for the community of Prince George following an increase in overdose events in the community. The substance is being sold as “down” and is pink with white flecks, looking orange when crushed.
This substance is highly toxic, causes heavy and prolonged sedation, and requires more naloxone to reverse. Overdoses have been reported to occur when the substance is smoked.
Please see posters for more info: Poster 1 | Poster 2
For more information, go to:
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.
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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
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
BC Drug and Poison Control Centre
BC Drug & Poison Control Centre
If you suspect someone has been poisoned by a medicine, chemical or other substance, call the Poison Control Centre at 604-682-5050 or 1-800-567-8911 (24 hrs)
For more information on signs of a stimulant toxicity see:
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.
