Drug alert for purple, yellow down issued in Grand Forks

Interior Health is warning Grand Forks drug users about a toxic purple and yellow heroin found in the community.

The drug has been found to contain fentanyl and more, according to an Interior Health drug alert.

The drugs found contained benzos, fentanyl, erithritol and caffeine. There is a high overdose risk, as users may not fully respond to naloxone due to the benzos in the drug, according to the alert.

Interior Health is urging drug users to get their drugs checked, and to avoid using different drugs, or drugs and alcohol at the same time.

The health authority is also encouraging users to avoid using alone, and promoting its Lifeguard app which can connect users with emergency services.

Last month, B.C. paramedics responded to a record number of overdose calls.

In June, the B.C. Coroners Service reported a record number of overdose-related deaths across the province. May also had record numbers for overdose deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the drug supply.

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