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By Liam Verster

Unconfirmed Overdose Reports

Interior Health warns of potentially dangerous drugs in Vernon

Jul 25, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The regional health authority has issued a warning about possibly tainted street drugs in Vernon.

Vernon Matters received unconfirmed reports of three possible overdoses in Vernon between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Thursday, July 24, and contacted Interior Health (IH) to ask if any new drug advisories had been issued locally.

In an emailed response, IH said there was no new drug advisory issued for Vernon, but warned that the “current illicit drug supply is always toxic” and poses a risk of overdose and death.

“Carfentanil, tranquilizers, bezodiazepines, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids similar to fentanyl have recently been detected in the local, Vernon drug supply. Multiple substances combined in a single dose contribute to overall risk, causing longer duration of overdose symptoms, and long periods of sedation, confusion and amnesia,” Jessica Bridgeman, IH’s Manger of Harm Reduction, said in the email to Vernon Matters.

“We encourage people who use substances to always check their drugs before using. The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, located at 3605 31st St. in Vernon, provides this service from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Drug checking is a free, anonymous service that tests for all kinds of substances.

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“People can visit Vernon Downtown Mental Health and Substance Use from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday at 3306A 32nd Ave. in Vernon to use the overdose prevention site (OPS) so someone is with them in case they experience an overdose while using.”

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP were also asked about the potential overdoses Thursday morning. Police told Vernon Matters that there was a medical emergency at 9:45 am. that was not a police matter, and another medical call shortly after 10 a.m. which saw one person taken to hospital with non-life threatening injures.

Neither of these calls were determined to be criminal, and police said the second call was a suspected overdose, though that was not confirmed by officers.

RELATED NEWS: Interior-wide alert issued for cafentanil in street drugs