Interior Health is warning drugs users in the Kamloops area about a recent uptick in fatal overdoses.
The health authority issued a general overdose alert for the area, warning about drugs with high amounts of fentanyl and benzodiazepines circulating in the community.
“Some involved the use of a pink substance, but not all,” Interior Health said. “Community members who use drugs of any colour are at risk when both injecting and smoking substances.”
The announcement comes in the same week that B.C.’s chief coroner reported a record 2,224 people died due to toxic drugs last year, an increase of 508 from the previous record set in 2020. A record 77 of these deaths were in Kamloops.
“We just want to make a public cry to everyone in politics to make some changes,” Sandra Tully with Moms Stop the Harm told NL News at a rally on Thursday. “I’m really tired of politicians saying they’re actually doing something and you know it is all just a game of moving one piece from here to there sort of thing.”
In its advisory, Interior Health urged people who use drugs to get it checked. It is also urging them to use drugs at overdose prevention site, or to use the Lifeguard app if using alone.
People are also being told to carry naloxone and avoiding mixing substances.
Hey #Kamloops we’ve issued a toxic drug alert following an increase in overdoses. Some involved a pink substance but not all. Drugs with high amounts of fentanyl and benzos are circulating in your area – if you use drugs take care out there 💜 https://t.co/aYQnUmWQlI
— Interior Health (@Interior_Health) February 11, 2022
