Northern Health has issued a toxic drug alert for Prince George.
There has been an increase in overdoses in the city linked to brown sugar granules. Drug checking services indicated high levels of fentanyl (30 per cent) and benzodiazepine (five to 10 per cent).
Reportedly, it has been causing people to black out and behave unusually, consistent with benzodiazepine effects. Both fentanyl and benzodiazepine test strips have shown positive results.
Northern Health reminds the public that drugs move throughout the north and therefore, it may be present in surrounding communities.
In Prince George, overdose prevention sites are located at Two Doors Down, 1126 Third Ave which is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and then from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Northern Health Needle Exchange and Harm Reduction Clinic open from Monday to Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tips for drug-use safety include:
- Get overdose prevention, recognition, and response training; carry naloxone
- Don’t use alone. Make a plan and tell a buddy who can call for help if needed
- If you plan to use alone, use the Lifeguard or BeSafe app available free on the app store or on Toward the Heart website
- Know your tolerance. If you are sick or had a time of abstinence or reduced use, use much less
- When possible, avoid mixing drugs or mixing drugs with alcohol
- Test a small amount first and go slow
- Use in an Overdose Prevention Site (OPS)
- Get your drugs checked at Two Doors Down (6 days a week, 10 am to 2 pm Wednesday to Saturday, and 4 pm to 8 pm Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays; Appointments can be made outside these hours by texting or calling 250-301-3285)
- Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number right away if someone overdoses
People who use drugs, those who support them, and community members are encouraged to opt-in for toxic drug alerts by texting the keyword JOIN to ALERTS (253787). They will receive toxic drug and drug poisoning alerts and public health alerts.
