Anyone using or considering using drugs is urged to be extra cautious in the wake of an increase in carfentanil detections in the B.C. Interior.

According to Interior Health, there were 19 illicit drug overdose deaths in B.C. in March where carfentanil was detected and seven of them occurred in the IH region.

It’s unclear which substances carfentanil has been detected in, making this recent outbreak an even scarier reality.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid normally used as a sedative for large animals.

It’s similar to fentanyl, but can be 100 times more toxic and ingesting just one or two grains can be fatal for humans.

In addition, carfentanil isn’t detected by fentanyl strips.

While people are advised to avoid the use of illicit drugs at this time, anyone using them should take the following steps to reduce the risk as much as possible:

• Don’t mix different drugs (including pharmaceutical medications, street drugs, and alcohol).
• Don’t take drugs when you are alone. Use in the company of someone who can administer help or call 9-1-1 if you experience an overdose.
• Keep an eye out for your friends – stay together and look out for each other. Consider staggering your use with friends so some can respond if needed.
• Use less and pace yourself. Do testers to check strength – take a small sample of a drug before taking your usual dosage.
• Carry a naloxone kit and know how to use it. A list of locations to get a kit can be found on the Toward the Heart Site Finder.
• Recognize the signs of an overdose: slow or no breathing, gurgling or gasping, lips/fingertips turning blue, difficult to awaken, or non-responsive. 
• If someone is experiencing an overdose or is witnessing an overdose, follow the SAVE ME steps and call 9-1-1 immediately.
• Use an overdose prevention site or supervised consumption site if available in your community (Kelowna, Kamloops, Nelson).
• Consider treatment options – talk with your health-care provider or contact one of our Mental Health and Substance Use offices in IH, which offer a full range of services to support the health and well-being of people with substance use problems.

There are mobile supervised consumption services available in Kelowna and Kamloops and an overdose prevention site in Nelson.

You can find more information on these services by clicking this link.