Interior Health has issued a drug alert warning of tainted cocaine that has been linked to multiple overdose incidents and fatalities.

It says the alert covers its entire coverage area which covers 215,000 square kilometres from the Williams Lake area in the Cariboo-Chilcotin all the way to the Kootenays and the Alberta border.

The alert posted Thursday, April 13, says the white powder being sold as cocaine contains fentanyl, which comes with a “high risk of fatal overdose.”

The health authority says the fentanyl-laced cocaine could also cause amnesia, sleepiness, heavy snoring, or ‘nodding out’ for a long time.

The alert will remain in effect until April 20.

People who use drugs are encouraged to check their substances for purity and to never use alone.

***Drug Alert – INTERIOR HEALTH REGION – April 13, 2023***

IHA has issued an alert due to White Powder sold as ‘COCAINE’ containing Fentanyl. This is believed to be connected with multiple OD incidents and fatalities.

For more information:https://t.co/adCmF8xLXZ

— Toward the Heart (@towardtheheart) April 13, 2023