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Health Professionals

Health professionals and service providers have an important role to play in harm reduction. This area contains resources and other information to help those on the front line and beyond.

Alerts

  • Interior Health - Drug Alert - KamloopsJuly 09, 2025 • Posted by Interior Health

    ***Drug Alert - Kamloops - July 9, 2025***

    Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Kamloops and surrounding area for Pink Chunks sold as DOWN containing Ketamine and Fluorofentanyl.   

    • High risk of overdose
    • Dizziness, dissociation and confusion. 
    • Nausea, amnesia, sleepiness, nodding out for a long time.  
    • Smoking is not safer than injecting. 

    Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. In higher doses, it can cause immobilization, loss of body control, dizziness and hallucinations. The combination of fluorofentanyl, ketamine and benzodiazepines can lead to significant sedation. Overdose symptoms may last beyond administration of naloxone. 

    If you have a drug that looks like this, get it tested before using. Drug checking is available at Ask Wellness in Kamloops. Call or text 250-299-7019 for more information.

    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 display the attached poster in high visibility locations and remove it on July 16, 2025.

     

    Service Provider Information:

    IH Mental Health Services:310-MHSU 

    MHSU OPS: 250-377-6500

    Drug Checking:  Ask Wellness 250-299-7019

     

    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: 

    • 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 
  • VCH - Drug Alert - Vancouver Downtown EastsideJuly 07, 2025 • Posted by Vancouver Coastal Health

    ***Drug Alert - Vancouver - July 7, 2025***

    VCH has issued a drug alert.

    Multiple samples (pink chunk, beige chunk, beige granules) sold as down in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver tested positive for piperidone, a precursor chemical used to make fentanyl, and negative for fentanyl itself. Substance may cause dizziness, nausea and abdominal pain.

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

  • Interior Health - Drug Advisory - Interior Region July 07, 2025 • Posted by Interior Health

    ***Drug Advisory - Interior Region - July 7, 2025***

    Interior Heath has issued a DRUG Advisory for the Interior Region for DOWN frequently containing Carfentanil. These samples frequently also contain benzodiazepines as well as tranquilizers. Carfentanil is considered up to 100X more potent than fentanyl. The combination of opioids with these substances amplify the effects of the drugs and significantly heighten the risk of fatal overdose.

    • Smoking is not safer than injecting.  
    • High risk of overdose and fatal overdose.
    • Repeated doses of Naloxone may be required.

    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 display the attached posters in high visibility locations and remove August 4.  

     

    Service Provider Information:

    Supervised Consumption and Overdose Prevention Services

    Drug Checking services found at www.drugchecking.ca 

    IH Mental Health Services:310-MHSU 

    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: 

    • 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 

Timelines

Information Sheets

  • Naloxone
      Naloxone FAQ

      This document addresses frequently asked questions related to the drug Naloxone, which is provided through the BCCDC's Take Home Naloxone program. 

      Naloxone Pre-Loading Concerns

      This document addresses concerns with pre-loading naloxone into syringes for administration.

      Naloxone and Temperature - PDF

      This information provides information about naloxone exposure to heat and cold as well as storage temperature recommendations.

      Product Monograph - Teligent

      This document contains information about the naloxone manufactured by Teligent. This product is included in the BC Take Home Naloxone and Facility Overdose Response Box programs. This product does not contain a preservative.   

      Product Monograph - Sandoz

      This document contains information about the naloxone manufactured by Sandoz. This product is the secondary (back-up) product periodically included in the BC Take Home Naloxone and Facility Overdose Response Box programs. This product contains preservative. All sites will be notified if/when this product is used.

      Teligent Product Info Sheet - Non Prescription Naloxone

      This document contains information about the non-prescription naloxone manufactured by Teligent. This product is included in the BC Take Home Naloxone and Facility Overdose Response Box programs. This product is the same formulation as the Teligent prescription product, labelling differs to identify regulatory differences. This product does not contain a preservative. 

  • Benzos/etizolam with opioids
  • Syringes
      Single Use Syringes - PDF

      This document addresses common concerns expressed in regards to the use of single-use syringes in the community.

      Distribution Vs Exchange - PDF

      This document summarizes why the BC Harm Reduction program follows a policy of needle distribution rather than one-for-one needle exchange.

      Additional Resources

      For further information regarding best practices related to needle distribution, safe needle disposal and community needle stick injuries, please refer to the Best Practice Recommendations and Guideline resources posted below.  

  • Why Give Breaths?
      Why Give Breaths? - PDF

      Opioid overdose is one of a number of special situations where the American Heart Association recommends a different approach than only chest compressions. This information sheet provides information on the importance of giving breaths when responding to an opiod overdose.

Best Practice, Policies and Procedures

Reports and Research

Updates for Health Professionals