A drug poisonings alert has been issued for the Williams Lake area by the Interior Health Authority (IH) after multiple overdoses and fatalities.
IH noted in a bulletin issued Monday, March 25 the drug poisonings were due to the use of down or fentanyl.
Down refers to a mixture of fentanyl and other opiates and other active ingredients such as benzodiazepines, said IH harm reduction manager Jessica Bridgeman.
“Down is used to enhance the effects of other drugs and it is also known as dope, so people don’t know when it is in their drugs. Fentanyl and other opiates are downer substances, slowing the body and reducing pain, which is where the slang term ‘down’ originates.”
The alert will remain in effect until April 1, 2024.
Interior Health offered steps to prevent overdose including having drugs checked and to be aware of the increased risk of mixing with other drugs, including alcohol.
Knowing how to use Naloxone kits and getting the LifeGuard App at lifeguarddh.com are other suggestions.
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