Toxic Drug Alert issued by Interior Health

Another toxic drug alert for the Kamloops region has been issued by Interior Health (IH).

Officials with Interior Health say the brown, granular substance is being sold as ‘Down’ or fentanyl, has been found to contain carfentanil and fluorofentanyl.

The warning issued in a news release on Wednesday noted that while fluorofentanyl can be twice as potent as fentanyl, carfentanil can be more potent, some 50-to-100 times stronger.

Interior Health warns anyone who uses these substances puts themselves at an ‘extreme risk’ of an overdose or fatality.

Those who have acquired any street drugs are advised to have them tested before using, and to never use alone.

There are no reports of either carfentanil or fluorofentanyl making its way onto the streets of Merritt at this time.