Know Your Source

Fentanyl may be hiding in the drugs you’re using.
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Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic (man-made) opioid that is more toxic than most other opioids, and can be prescribed by a physician to help control severe pain. Fentanyl is also being produced in illegal labs and sold on the streets, often mixed with other drugs. Increasingly, fentanyl is being detected in overdose deaths in BC.

About Fentanyl

Why is fentanyl dangerous?

Fentanyl is around 20 to 40 times more toxic than heroin and 50 to 100 times more toxic than morphine, which makes the risk of accidental overdose higher. When fentanyl is combined with other opioids (like heroin, morphine, methadone or codeine), alcohol, benzodiazepines, or cocaine or methamphetamines, it can further increase the risk of accidental overdose. Combining substances (including alcohol), intentionally or unintentionally, increases overdose risk. It’s also important to be aware that drugs other than fentanyl can also be lethal, and that there is no quality control or regulated manufacturing process for illegal drugs.

Where is it coming from?

Illicit fentanyl is manufactured in clandestine overseas drug labs, both overseas and in Canada. It may be cut into powders or pressed into pills prior to being sold.

Where is it found?

Fentanyl is sometimes sold as fentanyl but other illegal drugs can also contain it, including heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, crack or meth. It may be in drugs that are in powder, liquid or pill form.

These drugs may contain toxic contaminants or have different levels of fentanyl in each batch. Even pills produced in the same batch may have little to lethal levels of fentanyl.

What can you do?

Be aware that drugs obtained from anywhere other than a pharmacy or a hospital may not be what you think they are, or what others believe them to be.

Learn how to recognize and respond to a drug overdose.

See our tips for safer substance use.

Alerts

Interior Health - Overdose Alert - KelownaMay 09, 2025 • Posted by Interior Health

***Overdose Alert - Kelowna - May 9, 2025***

Interior Heath has issued an OVERDOSE ALERT for Kelowna due to a recent increase in toxic drug deaths.

The current down/opioid supply is unpredictable in its make up. These drugs often contain a benzodiazepines and/or potent tranquilizers in addition to fentanyl and analogues. This often means that there are different mechanisms of action and effects that amplify each other, contributing to higher risk of overdoses and other complications.

Click here for a printable poster.
VCH - Drug Alert - VancouverMay 09, 2025 • Posted by Vancouver Coastal Health

***Drug Alert - Vancouver - May 9, 2025***

VCH has issued a drug alert.

Light blue tablet with imprint “Percocet 5” sold as Percocet (oxycodone + acetaminophen) in Vancouver tested positive for AB-MDMSBA, a synthetic cannabinoid and negative for oxycodone.

Check your drugs https://www.vch.ca/en/service/drug-checking
Island Health - Drug Poisoning Overdose Advisory - Comox ValleyMay 07, 2025 • Posted by Island Health

***Drug Poisoning Overdose Advisory - Comox Valley - May 7, 2025***

Drug poisonings are increasing in Comox Valley. Friends, family and community members using unregulated substances face increased risk.

For more information on harm reduction supports visit Overdose Prevention Services.

Click here for printable version of the poster.
Island Health - Drug Poisoning Overdose Advisory - Campbell RiverMay 07, 2025 • Posted by Island Health

***Drug Poisoning Overdose Advisory - Campbell River - May 7, 2025***

Drug poisonings are increasing in Campbell River. Friends, family and community members using unregulated substances face increased risk.

For more information on harm reduction supports visit Overdose Prevention Services.

Click here for printable version of the poster.
Fraser Health - Drug Alert - HopeMay 07, 2025 • Posted by Fraser Health

***Drug Alert - Hope - May 7, 2025***

Beige powder sold as Fentanyl tested positive for high concentrations of a new synthetic cannabinoid (called AB-MDMSBA) in combination with a fentanyl analogue (para-Fluorofentanyl) and a long-acting benzodiazepine (desalkylgidazepam).

Click here for a printable version of the poster.