Overdose alert issued across B.C. warning of increased toxicity in drugs

The BC Centre for Disease Control has issued an overdose alert as there has been an increase in the drug toxicity across the province.

There has been a record number of overdose deaths in the province in May and June and the BC CBC is warning that there has been a severe number of overdoses in those smoking illicit drugs, according to a public alert.

There has been an increase in carfentanyl and etizolam in the illicit drug supply, according to the alert.

Interior Health is also warning Vernon drug users to be wary of their supply, after receiving reports of purple fentanyl.

The CDC recommends users to:

Not use drugs alone
Use an overdose prevention site
Get drugs checked at an overdose prevention site
Carry a naloxone kit
Talk to a doctor about prescriptions

For more information, visit the CDC's website.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.