***Drug Poisoning Overdose Advisory - Port Alberni - Jan 28, 2026***

Drug poisonings are increasing in Port Alberni. Friends, family and community members using unregulated substances face increased risk.

For more information on harm reduction supports visit Overdose Prevention Services.

Click here for a printable version of the poster.

***Drug Poisoning Overdose Advisory - Greater Victoria - Jan 27, 2026***

Drug poisonings are increasing in Greater Victoria. Friends, family and community members using unregulated substances face increased risk.

For more information on harm reduction supports visit Overdose Prevention Services.

Click here for a printable version of the poster.

***Drug Alert - Vernon - Jan 27, 2026***

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Vernon and surrounding area due to Xanax tablet sold as Xanax or alprazolam testing positive for medetomidine. This counterfeit Xanax tablet does not contain alprazolam or any other benzodiazepine. While illegal tablets most often contain benzos, this one contains medetomidine instead.

BCCDC also issued a province-wide drug alert yesterday due to an increase in overdoses. The alert reports that opioids/down now often contain the sedative medetomidine.

Medetomidine

• Medetomidine causes deep, prolonged sedation, respiratory depression, slowed heart rate (bradycardia), confusion, and hypothermia.
• It does not respond to naloxone, although naloxone should still be administered if opioid involvement is suspected.
• When combined with opioids or other sedatives, medetomidine can lead to complex and prolonged toxicity, with withdrawal that may be severe and difficult to treat. 

Resources for responding to medetomidine overdose

• Medetomidine info sheet
• Prolonged Sedation Response
• Responding to low heart rate
• December 2025 – Down Supply Update – Interior Health Drug Checking

Please ensure your clients are aware of safer drug use tips that can help prevent overdose as well as where they can access naloxone, drug checking and other overdose prevention services in your community.   

Please see poster attached here.  

 

Service Provider Information 

IH Mental Health Services: 310-MHSU

Drug Checking:  Medicine Shoppe 778-212-8611

OPS Service:  Downtown MHSU 250-503-3737

  

Virtual Addiction Medicine Clinic (VAM) 

Our Virtual Addiction Medicine (VAM) clinic offers a full range of opioid agonist treatment (OAT), including buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone®), methadone, and slow-release oral morphine (SROM / Kadian®). 

How VAM works: 

• Our team works with you to assess your individual needs, develop a treatment plan, and help you achieve your goals 

• The VAM clinic is virtual, meaning your appointments will take place over the phone no matter where you are in the Interior Health region 

• The VAM clinic does not provide long-term care. Once you are comfortable with how your treatment is going, we will help you find health services in your community 

• If you need help managing prescribed safer supply or alternatives, supervised consumption, overdose prevention, supervised withdrawal from alcohol, or counselling, please contact your nearest Interior Health Mental Health and Substance Use centre at 310-MHSU (6478).  

• Click here to request an appointment.   

 

 No matter what or how you use (smoking, snorting, injecting) take steps to prevent overdose 

• Know the signs of an overdose and be prepared with naloxone. Find out where to get naloxone on the ‘Towards the Heart’ website, under ‘Find a site’. 

• When using substances: 

o    Use with others around 

o    Use one person at a time so someone can respond to overdose if needed 

o    When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow. 

o    Know the risks when mixing drugs  

o    Smoking is not safer than injecting, be cautious when smoking your drugs 

If using alone, consider using the Lifeguard app which can connect you with 911 emergency responders if you overdose. Download at the App Store or Google Play.  

***Drug Alert - Vancouver - January 26, 2026***

VCH has issued a drug alert.

White triangular pressed tablet with imprint “D|D” sold as hydromorphone (Dilaudid or “dilly 8”) in Vancouver tested positive for fentanyl and negative for hydromorphone.

Check your drugs: https://www.vch.ca/en/service/drug-checking.

BCCDC is issuing a province-wide alert because of an increase in drug poisonings.

Opioids/down now often contain the sedative medetomidine.

Watch for sedation, low heart rate. Use drug checking. Use at an OPS/SCS or with a buddy.

Learn more: Medetomidine Advisory Poster   

***Overdose Alert - Trail and Nelson - Jan 26, 2026***

Interior Health communications issued an alert this weekend. Due to sustained overdose reports in Trail, Interior Health is re-issuing this OVERDOSE ALERT for Trail and Nelson.

Community and health services have reported an increase in overdoses with symptoms of profound sedation, confusion and disorientation. There are reports that individuals have unexplained injuries, sudden collapses and prolonged impairment.

BCCDC has also issued a province-wide drug alert today due to  an increase in overdoses. The alert reports that opioids/down now often contain the sedative medetomidine.

 

Medetomidine

• Medetomidine causes deep, prolonged sedation, respiratory depression, slowed heart rate (bradycardia), confusion, and hypothermia.
• It does not respond to naloxone, although naloxone should still be administered when opioid involvement is suspected.
• When combined with opioids or other sedatives, medetomidine can lead to complex and prolonged toxicity, with withdrawal that may be severe and difficult to treat. 

Resources for responding to medetomidine overdose

• Medetomidine info sheet
• Prolonged Sedation Response
• Responding to low heart rate
• December 2025 – Down Supply Update – Interior Health Drug Checking

Please ensure your clients are aware of safer drug use tips that can help prevent overdose as well as where they can access naloxone, drug checking and other overdose prevention services in your community.   

Please see attached poster.

Local Service Provider Information 

IH Mental Health Services: 310-MHSU

Drug Checking:  ANKORS 236-972-7080

OPS Service:  ANKORS 101 Baker Street, Nelson 250-505-5506

**please note the Jan 24 overdose alert contained the wrong drug checking phone number – correct phone number above.

 

Virtual Addiction Medicine Clinic (VAM) 

Our Virtual Addiction Medicine (VAM) clinic offers a full range of opioid agonist treatment (OAT), including buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone®), methadone, and slow-release oral morphine (SROM / Kadian®). 

How VAM works: 

• Our team works with you to assess your individual needs, develop a treatment plan, and help you achieve your goals 

• The VAM clinic is virtual, meaning your appointments will take place over the phone no matter where you are in the Interior Health region 

• The VAM clinic does not provide long-term care. Once you are comfortable with how your treatment is going, we will help you find health services in your community 

• If you need help managing prescribed safer supply or alternatives, supervised consumption, overdose prevention, supervised withdrawal from alcohol, or counselling, please contact your nearest Interior Health Mental Health and Substance Use centre at 310-MHSU (6478).  

• Click here to request an appointment.   

No matter what or how you use (smoking, snorting, injecting) take steps to prevent overdose 

• Check your drugs before using! Whether using take home fentanyl test strips or accessing drug checking services in your area, drug checking can inform you about what is in your drugs. Drug Checking services found at www.drugchecking.ca 

• Know the signs of an overdose and be prepared with naloxone. Find out where to get naloxone on the ‘Towards the Heart’ website, under ‘Find a site’. 

• When using substances: 

• Use with others around 
• Use one person at a time so someone can respond to overdose if needed 
• When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow. 
• Know the risks when mixing drugs  
• Smoking is not safer than injecting, be cautious when smoking your drugs 
• If using alone, consider using the Lifeguard app which can connect you with 911 emergency responders if you overdose. Download at the App Store or Google Play.