Interior Health issues drug alert for the region

Interior Health (IH) is issuing a drug alert that encompasses the entire health region.

In a media release on Wednesday, IH said that the drug known as down has been discovered to contain fentanyl, as well as powerful chemicals such as fluorofentanyl, carfentanil, medetomidine, Bromazolam, desalkylgidazepam, phenazolam, and ethylbromazolam.

The drug comes in a variety of colors as well as in chunks, powdered form, or pebbles, and can cause a very high risk of an overdose.

The health warning states that the “down supply” is unpredictable. High concentrations of opioids and medetomidine, as well as multiple new benzodiazepines, increase risk.

Medetomidine is potentially dangerous to the heart and can cause your breathing and heart rate to slow down, which makes overdoses more complicated and last longer. The combination of opioids, benzodiazepines, and medetomidine can lead to significant sedation. Overdose symptoms may last beyond administration of naloxone.

Interior Health warns those at risk to have their drugs checked before consumption and never use them alone.  This drug alert is in effect Feb. 25.