By Tom Mark

Interior Health Warns of Overdose Deaths

Jan 26, 2018 | 7:45 PM

Interior Health is warning illicit drug users to be extra careful after preliminary data provided by the BC Coroners Service found seven suspected overdose deaths within the health authority’s region from January 23-26.

The exact causes of death will be confirmed by the BC Coroners Service once their investigations are complete.

IH is not saying where the deaths occurred.

It is urging residents using or considering using drugs to reconsider or take steps to prevent overdose.

The following tips can help reduce the risk:

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· Don’t mix different drugs (including pharmaceutical medications, street drugs, and alcohol).
· Don’t take drugs when you are alone. Leave door unlocked. Tell someone to check on you.
· Use less and pace yourself. Do testers to check strength – a small sample of a drug before taking your usual dosage.
· Keep an eye out for your friends – stay together and look out for each other.
· Carry a Naloxone kit and know how to use it. A list of locations to get a kit can be found on the Interior Health website or on the Toward the Heart website.
· Recognize the signs of an OD: slow or no breathing, gurgling or gasping, lips/fingertips turning blue, difficult to rouse (awaken), non-responsive.
· If someone thinks they may be having an overdose or is witnessing an overdose, follow the SAVE ME steps and call 9-1-1 immediately, do not delay.

Interior Health has Mobile Supervised Consumption Services available in both Kelowna and Kamloops. More information on these services is available at: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/AboutUs/Leadership/MHO/PHEmergency/Pages/Mobile-ODPS.aspx

by Tom Mark