Interior Health has issued a toxic drug alert for the Vernon area Wednesday afternoon, April 30.
A beige and red substance in the form of powder, pebbles and chunks that's being sold as down, dope and fentanyl has tested positive for medetomidine (1 per cent), fentanyl, fluorofentanyl and xylazine, the health authority said shortly after 4 p.m.
There is a very high risk of overdose and fatal overdose associated with this substance, as well as amnesia, sleepiness and nodding out for a long time.
Medetomidine is a non-opioid tranquilizer with effects similar to xylazine, though it is up to 200 times stronger than xylazine. While fentanyl will respond to naloxone (which is used to reverse an overdose), medetomidine will not, the health authority warns, adding this can lead to complicated and long-lasting overdose symptoms.
"Medetomidine suppresses respiration and has potentially dangerous cardiovascular effects," Interior Health said.
Smoking the substance is not safer than injecting, the health authority said.
Anyone who has a substance that matches the above description can call or text 778-212-8611 to get it tested before using. Drug checks are available in Vernon from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day at the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy at 3605 31st Street.
Find more drug checking locations at drugchecking.ca.
