Interior Health issues Toxic Drug Alert for Merritt area

Interior Health has issued a toxic drug alert for the city of Merritt and surrounding area.

The health authority is warning those who use that a certain strain of the  substance known as “down”, “dope”, tranquil” and “fentanyl” circulating in the area may have been responsible for several overdoses in the Merritt region.

Interior Health says the substance which is light green in colour, and can be found in chunks, pebbles or powder and may contain cychlorphine, fluorofentanyl, medetomidine and benzodiazepines which can slow or stop breathing, leading to life threatening effects.

Taking this drug is known to cause a very high risk of overdose, dizziness, confusion, nausea, sleepiness and vomiting.

Those who partake in the substance can drop off samples for drug checking between 8:30 to 4:30 at ASK Wellness – 2196 Quilchena Ave in Merritt. Office: 250-315-0098

More to come..