By Kate Bouey

IH, Coroner Issue Overdose Alert

Mar 29, 2019 | 9:30 AM

An overdose alert has been issued by Interior Health and the BC Coroners Service — warning of an increase in deadly carfentanil detections throughout the region.

Carfentanil is a synthentic opioid 100 times more toxic than the drug fentanyl and ingesting just one or two grains can be fatal.

The coroner says there have been 19 suspected illicit drug overdose deaths from carfentanil in B-C this month.

Of these 19 deaths, seven occurred in the IH region.

Interior Health is urging people to avoid illicit drugs for experimental or recreational purposes.

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For others, the following advice has been issued:

– Don’t mix different drugs (including pharmaceutical medications, street drugs, and alcohol).
– Don’t take drugs when you are alone. Use in the company of someone who can administer help or call 9-1-1 if you experience an overdose.
– Keep an eye out for your friends – stay together and look out for each other. Consider staggering your use with friends so some can respond if needed.
– Use less and pace yourself. Do testers to check strength – take a small sample of a drug before taking your usual dosage.
– Carry a naloxone kit and know how to use it. A list of locations to get a kit can be found on the Toward the Heart Site Finder.
– Recognize the signs of an overdose: slow or no breathing, gurgling or gasping, lips/fingertips turning blue, difficult to awaken, or non-responsive.
– If someone is experiencing an overdose or is witnessing an overdose, follow the SAVE ME steps and call 9-1-1 immediately.
– Use an overdose prevention site or supervised consumption site if available in your community (Kelowna, Kamloops, Nelson).
– Consider treatment options – talk with your health-care provider or contact one of our Mental Health and Substance Use offices in IH, which offer a full range of services to support the health and well-being of people with substance use problems.

Interior Health has mobile supervised consumption services available in both Kelowna and Kamloops.

by Kate Bouey