Interior Health recommends drug checking amid rising overdoses

In response to the recent drug poisoning events in the region, Interior Health is reminding people to check their drugs.

IH issued a region-wide Drug Poisoning Alert following multiple overdoses, including several that resulted in fatalities in the Central Okanagan.

The agency noted that, since 2019, fentanyl and its analogues were involved in more than 85 per cent of illicit drug toxicity deaths.

In 2021, 374 people in the Interior died to toxic drugs. Between January 1 and August 31, 2022, the Interior has seen 250 people die due to suspected toxic drug poisonings.

The health authority advises people to test their drugs for fentanyl using a testing strip or by visiting a site that offers Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) instruments, including the site in downtown Vernon. There are also sites with FTIR instruments in Kelowna, Penticton and Kamloops.

FTIR instruments use infrared light to detect the composition of drugs.

The service is fast, free, legal, confidential and reliable in detecting tainted drugs.

In addition to fentanyl, FTIR can also identify benzodiazapines in street drugs, which can negate the effects of naloxone and create challenges for first responders attempting to reverse drug poisonings.

Of the drugs checked between February and July of this year, 67.7 per cent contained benzodiazapines. Between July and August, the benzodiazapine analogue Etizolam was fond in 38 per cent of illicit drug toxicity deaths.

IH also advises people to crush drugs into a fine powder to reduce the risk of consuming a “hot-spot” of concentrated fentanyl; to start with a small amount of drugs and wait to see if there are any adverse affects before taking more; and to use with a buddy to make sure someone is there in the event of an overdose.

Drug users are also advised to carry naloxone and be trained in how to administer the overdose reversing tool.

Drug checking locations are listed online, and people in need of support can call the local Interior Health Mental Health and Substance Use Centre at 310-MHSU (6478).