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Information For Alerts and People Who Use Substances

This page contains important information about staying safe. Use this page for the latest on signing up for Toxic Drug and Public Health Alerts, as well as accessing overdose prevention, drug checking and substance use services in BC.

Alerts

  • Interior Health - Drug Alert - CranbrookJune 30, 2025 • Posted by Interior Health

    ***Drug Alert - Cranbrook - June 30, 2025***

    Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Cranbook and surrounding area for Pink Chunks/Powder/Pebbles sold as DOWN containing Fluorofentanyl, Ketamine and Benzodiazepine (unspecified).   

    • High risk of overdose and fatal overdose.  
    • Dizziness, dissociation and confusion. 
    • Nausea, amnesia, sleepiness, nodding out for a long time.  
    • Smoking is not safer than injecting.  

    Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. In higher doses, it can cause immobilization, loss of body control, dizziness and hallucinations. The combination of fluorofentanyl, ketamine and benzodiazepines can lead to significant sedation. Overdose symptoms may last beyond administration of naloxone. 

    Click here for a printable poster

    If you have a drug that looks like this, call or text 260-426-3383 to get it tested before using. Drug checking is available from 9 to 4 Mon-Fri (excluding holidays) at ANKORS in Cranbrook.

    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.  

     

    Service Provider Information:

    IH Mental Health Services:310-MHSU 

    eOPS Nurse: 250-417-7056 

    Drug Checking:  ANKORS (250)-426-3383 

    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.   

     

     

  • VCH - Drug Alert - VancouverJune 27, 2025 • Posted by Vancouver Coastal Health

    ***Drug Alert - Vancouver - June 27, 2025***

    VCH has issued a drug alert.

    Pink and blue granules sold as down in Vancouver tested positive for fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl and desalkylgidazepam, a benzo analog.

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

     

  • Northern Health - Toxic Drug Alert - Dawson CreekJune 19, 2025 • Posted by Northern Health

    ***Toxic Drug Alert - Dawson Creek - June 19 2025***

    Northern Health has issued a Toxic Drug Alert for Dawson Creek. A green substance sold as “down” has been linked to sudden overdoses requiring naloxone and/or hospitalization. Overdoses occur when the substance is inhaled. Use caution when using substances through any route.

    Click here for a poster. 

    More info: 

    https://stories.northernhealth.ca/news/toxic-drug-alert-dawson-creek-3

    https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/overdose-prevention

    For your safety

    §  Get overdose prevention, recognition, and response training; carry naloxone.

    §  Try not to use alone. Make a plan and tell a trusted person who can call for help if needed.

    §  If you plan to use alone, use the Lifeguard or BeSafe app available free on the app store or on Toward the Heart website (https://towardtheheart.com) or call NORS (National Overdose Response Service) 1-888-688-6677 (NORS).

    §  Know your tolerance. If you are sick or had a time of abstinence or reduced use, use much less.

    §  When possible, avoid mixing drugs or mixing drugs with alcohol.

    §  Test a small amount first, start low and go slow.

    §  Get your drugs checked.

    §  Use the local Overdose Prevention Site (OPS).

    §  Call 911 or your local emergency number right away if someone overdoses.

    Local Supports and Overdose Prevention Sites

    Dawson Creek (temporary) OPS
    Address: 1001 110 Ave, Dawson Creek, BC
    OPS hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 10 pm

Toxic Drug and Health Alerts

    Sign up and receive Toxic Drug and Health Alerts by text.

    Toward the Heart and BCCDC have partnered with health authority and community partners to send anonymous toxic drug and health alerts by text in B.C.

    Toxic drug and health alerts is a free, real-time text messaging service for anyone to receive toxic drug alerts or share information about toxic drugs in their community. This service is anonymous.

    People can get other information by text message, like where to find naloxone or how to get drugs tested.

    Toxic drug and health alerts are currently available in Interior, Fraser, Northern, Vancouver Island, and Vancouver Coastal Health regions. 

    To sign up, text the word JOIN to 253787 (ALERTS). Message and data rates may apply. 

  • Health Authority Regions Map

  • Instructions

      Send and receive Toxic Drug and Health Alerts by text

      To sign up, text the word JOIN to 253787 (ALERTS).

      When you sign up you’ll be asked which health region you want to get alerts for.  You can choose more than one region or sign up for the whole province.  You will receive alerts for all of B.C. if you do not choose an area. To find out which health region you live in, look here.

      Once you’ve signed up, you can text the following words for more options:

      • MENU to see all the options and tools for this service
      • FIND to find harm reduction supplies
      • NARCAN to learn where naloxone kits are available
      • SAFE to find overdose prevention sites
      • TREAT to find substance use treatment and support services
      • OD to tell us about toxic drugs so we can warn others
      • MAP to confirm or change the area you want to receive alerts for
      • HELP (or AIDE) for help with this text service
      • STOP (or ARRET) to stop receiving texts from this number
      • START (or COMMENCER) to rejoin this service after texting STOP

      For more information about texting, read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

  • Print Resources

HelpStartsHere

For more information on mental health, wellbeing, and substance use resources and supports visit HelpStartsHere (gov.bc.ca)

Indigenous Health Resources

The BCCDC Indigenous Health Resources page has information for Indigenous peoples and communities including supports and services for peope who use substances. 

Virtual Overdose Prevention Services

Lifeguard App

Connect is a life-saving app that links app users to mental health and substance use resources. A key feature is the Use Alone Timer to stay protected during substance use. 

App users can begin the timer prior to consumption and reset the timer when they are safe. If they become unresponsive, paramedics will be automatically alerted.

NORS

The National Overdose Response Service is an overdose prevention hotline for Canadians, providing loving, confidential, nonjudgmental support for you whenever and wherever you use drugs. Canada Wide.

Call 1-888-688-NORS(6677) 

Overdose Prevention Sites

Overdose Prevention Sites are locations where people can use illegal drugs under supervision by trained staff who can provide emergency response services if necessary. The Health Authority links below have the most current information.

Vancouver Coastal  |  Interior BC  |  Vancouver Island  |  Northern BC |  Fraser

Drug Checking Services

Drug checking services are now offered by a variety of harm reduction service providers across BC. The links below include the most current information. 

Vancouver Coastal  |  Interior BC  |  Vancouver Island  |  Northern BC |  Fraser

For more information and locations see: 

Find Overdose Prevention Sites

Choose "Overdose Prevention Site" from the supply options below.

Please enter a valid location or a known location that is near you.

Updates

Report Bad Dope (Greater Vancouver)

Report Bad Dope (Greater Vancouver)

Help warn people and save lives by filling in an anonymous form.

Prevent & Respond to Overdoses

Prevent & Respond to Overdoses

Know the risks, signs and responses for the different kinds of overdoses.

Safer Sex & Drug Use

Safer Sex & Drug Use

While nothing is completely safe, there are ways you can reduce your risk.