Interior Health has issued a drug overdose alert for Nelson, Trail, Creston, Castlegar, and surrounding areas following an increase in toxic drug overdoses and deaths.
Drug-checking results from the Nelson area indicate that the down supply is unpredictable. High concentrations of fentanyl and benzodiazepines continue to be detected, with xylazine also sometimes present in the mix.
Interior Health says it is critical that the public use caution in the face of this threat, noting that no matter what or how you use (smoking, snorting, injecting, or eating), you should take steps to prevent overdose:
- Get your drugs checked – find locations at drugchecking.ca.
- Be aware of increased risk if mixing with other drugs, including alcohol.
- Use one person at a time so someone can respond to an overdose.
- Naloxone does not work for benzodiazepines and xylazine. People may remain sedated after naloxone is administered.
- Start with a small amount and space out your doses.
- Pick up naloxone from ANKORS or any public health or MHSU site.
- Carry naloxone and know how to use it.
- Get the LifeGuard App at lifeguarddh.com.
- Call 211 or visit bc211.ca to find services near you.
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