Joint toxic drug alert issued for northern B.C.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A purple substance being sold to drug users in northern B.C. has Northern Health and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) raising alarm bells.

The two health authorities have jointly issued a toxic drug alert for the northern region, saying a purple paste being sold as ‘down’ in the area has tested positive for fentanyl, benzos and medetomidine.

Fentanyl is an extremely potent opiate, while benzos — short for “benzodiazepines” — are a type of medication that slows brain activity and increases the risk of overdose when mixed with opiates.

Medetomidine, meanwhile, is a non-opioid sedative that can cause an increase in overdose incidents, including fatal overdoses.

Reportedly, the substance has been linked to overdose events in the region already, and some people may require multiple doses of naloxone — a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose — or may not respond to it at all.

The substance is also reportedly equally dangerous when smoked or injected.

Drug users in the region are urged to get training to recognize and prevent overdoses, and to carry naloxone with them. 

They’re also encouraged to avoid using drugs alone, to understand their tolerance and use less if they’re sick or have avoided drugs for a while, and to avoid mixing different drugs or mixing drugs with alcohol.

Users can also visit overdose prevention sites, safe locations to use drugs with trained staff to monitor them in the event of an overdose.

The Fort St. John overdose prevention site is at 9907 98th Street and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The toxic drug alert is set to expire on October 7th.