Straight fentanyl has hit the streets of Penticton, according to a warning from Interior Health.
The fentanyl is being sold as side, meth, crystal meth and/or methamphetamine and looks like white crystals and powder.
Testing, however, has shown the drug is pure fentanyl with no other substances detected.
That means the drugs carry not only an “extreme risk of overdose,” but also a very high risk that those overdoses will be fatal.
READ MORE: Dangerous drug alert for high risk of overdose and death in Penticton
A drug alert for down and dope being sold with over 50 per cent fentanyl was issued on May 12, following a trend of alerts and warnings issued every month since the beginning of 2023.
The majority of those alerts have been for high fentanyl levels, or for drugs that have also contained benzodiazepines, which can cause overdoses to be unaffected by naloxone.
To reduce the risk of overdose, Interior Health has made several suggestions:
• Get your drugs checked before use
• Avoid using different drugs at the same time or using drugs and alcohol together.
• Don’t use alone or ask someone to check on you
• Start with a small amount and work up
• Use at an overdose prevention site
• Know how to respond to overdose
• If you must use while alone, consider using the Lifeguard app which can connect you with 911 emergency responders if you overdose.
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