Interior Health issues four drug alerts for users in Kamloops

Interior Health has issued four drug alerts for products circulating in Kamloops.

In a quartette of alerts issued on Friday, Jan. 8, Interior Health warned of four street drugs being sold under the name “down” — a term commonly used to refer to heroin.

All four are said to have a high risk of overdose and prolonged sedation that may not be responsive to naloxone.

The first drug is described as a greyish blue pebble containing fentanyl and benzodiazepines — a type of psychoactive drug.

A second drug is described as a white powder containing fentanyl, benzodiazepines and the synthetic cannabinoid AMB-FUB.

The third is a brown pebble substance containing etizolam — benzodiazepines — fentanyl and AMB-fubinaca, and has additional side effects such as hallucinations or agitation.

The fourth substance consists of purple granules containing fentanyl, AMB-fubinaca and possibly benzodiazepines. Additional side effects include hallucinations and agitation.

All four alerts came about from tests at the ASK Wellness Society drug-checking program.

The alert, which follows a number of similar warnings issued last year, is in effect until at least Jan. 15.

People can have their drugs checked at the ASK Wellness Society office, 433 Tranquille Rd. in North Kamloops, and at supervised drug-use sites, at ASK Wellness and at the Crossroads Inn, downtown at Seymour Street and Sixth Avenue.