Interior Health is warning drug users about a tainted substance being sold as cocaine in the Kamloops area.

It says the white powder contains methamphetamine, cocaine, and Levamisole – a medicine that is usually used to treat parasitic worm infections.

According to Interior Health, there is the risk for an overdose or over-amping, and the levamisole may cause infections like fever, purplish skin, and severe brain disorders –  with the level of risk increasing with regular use.

People are being urged to get their drugs checked at ASK Wellness, to avoid using alone, and to have a Naloxone kit readily available.

The drug alert will remain in effect until Feb. 12.