Toxic drug alert issued by B.C.’s Interior Health
British Columbia’s Interior Health Authority has raised the alarm on a dangerous form of down that it believes has made its way into the East Kootenay, and possibly into Alberta. It warns of a high risk of overdose due to highly extreme concentrations of fentanyl and benzodiazepine.
By Dave Lueneberg
Shootin’ the Breeze Reporter | Local Journalism Initiative ___________________________________________
British Columbia’s Interior Health Authority is worried that a dangerous form of down has
made its way into the East Kootenay and, possibly, Alberta.
Also sold as dope or fentanyl, the pinkish-purple chunks contain extremely high concentrations of fentanyl and benzodiazepine.
According to a statement from IH, there is a high risk of overdose. “There have also been reports of people requiring overdose response after using this substance. This is a much higher than average
fentanyl concentration and very likely to produce overdose symptoms,” the release said.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid considered 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Benzodiazepine, when prescribed properly, can relieve anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures. In its unregulated form, however, the danger is it could put a person into a sleep-induced coma.
Naloxone, an over-the-counter drug administered through a needle, has the potential to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses but is not effective against down.
“Be aware that xylazine and benzodiazepine-induced sedation is not reversible by naloxone,” the statement added. Suggestions from the agency include using a small amount to start, not administering alone and having naloxone on hand in the event of an overdose. The toxic drug alert will remain in place until Friday, Feb. 23.