Northern Health issues drug advisory over ‘oxycotet’ pills

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health is warning drug users about round white pills being sold as “oxycotet.”

The health authority issued a drug advisory for its entire coverage area, saying the pills have tested positive for a substance called isotonitazene.

Also called “nitazene” for short, the substance is an opioid which is as toxic or worse than fentanyl, and won’t show up on fentanyl test strips.

Drug users in the region are urged to get overdose prevention training, and carry naloxone when they plan to use. Naloxone is a medication that can be used to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Additionally, the health authority urges residents to avoid using drugs alone, to take precautions like using the Lifeguard app if they have no other choice and to reduce their dose significantly if they’re sick or haven’t used drugs for an extended period of time.

It also recommends users avoid mixing drugs and alcohol, and to test small amounts of whatever drugs they intend to use before consuming them.

Overdose prevention services are available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday at the Fort St. John Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) located at 10067 100th Ave.

People living outside of Fort St. John can find their local OPS on the Northern Health website.

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