Those using illicit substances in Vernon are warned of two drugs containing potentially lethal ingredients.
Interior Health issued the drug alerts Friday, May 23 for red pebbles and pink chunk/pebbles sold as down.
There have been multiple samples of drugs sold as down containing medetomidine.
This drug contains one to two per cent medetomidine, xylazine as well as fentanyl/various fentanyl analogues.
Medetomidine is a non-opioid tranquilizer with effects similar to xylazine, but is up to 200 times stronger than xylazine.
While fentanyl will respond to naloxone, medetomidine will not.
This can lead to complicated and long lasting overdose symptoms. Medetomidine suppresses respiration and has potentially dangerous cardiovascular effects.
An alert is also in effect regarding drugs sold as down, dope or fentanyl containing carfentanyl, fentanyl and fentanyl analog
Carfentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than fentanyl. This drug contains the equivalent of up to a 92 per cent concentration of fentanyl. Extreme risk of overdose and fatal overdose.
Interior Health advises smoking is not safer than injecting.
Service Provider Information
IH Mental Health Services: 310-MHSU
Drug Checking: Medicine Shoppe 778-212-8611
OPS Service: Downtown MHSU, 3306A 32nd Ave, Vernon. 250-503-3737
Virtual Addiction Medicine Clinic (VAM)
The 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
- 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.
