As unregulated drug death crisis grows, users urged to take advantage of Kamloops drug checking options

“Benzodiazepines continue to be kind of a big trend that we’re seeing in the down supply, as well as xylazine is showing up more frequently these days, which is an animal tranquilizer.”

There are several locations in Kamloops offering different forms of free, anonymous drug checking.

Drop-off sample testing and in-person testing is available at ASK Wellness at 433 Tranquille Road and at the Crossroads Inn at 569 Seymour Street. Fentanyl test strips are also offered at the Qwemstin Health Society at 130 Chilcotin Road.

Mobile drug checking is also available and McKenna says mobile appointments can be set up via text at (250) 299-7219 or email at k.mckenna@askwellness.ca. (For a complete list of testing services, scroll to bottom of article.)

McKenna says they want to reiterate to the public that these services are available to anyone and the testing process is confidential and judgement-free.

“We definitely see surges in utilizations around particular (health authority) advisories or alerts that come out,” notes McKenna. “Some times of the year tend to be a bit busy, during music festival season and that kind of thing we tend to get a bit of an influx. And during winter holidays we tend to see a bit of an increase in utilization as well.”

McKenna says when it comes to checking substances, the more options and availability, the better.

“At the same time, drug checking is really just a stop gap measure. It’s not going to be able to address the toxic drug supply on its own.”

The vast majority of unregulated drug fatalities took place indoors last year — 47 per cent in private homes, and 33 per cent in other indoor spaces like social housing, hotels or shelters. Nineteen per cent of overdose deaths in 2023 took place outside, such as in vehicles, parks, sidewalks or on the streets.

“Estimates from experts in this field are that 225,000 people in BC are using unregulated drugs,” BC’s Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe told a news conference this week, “Of these, about 100,000 people have an opioid use disorder. Given the unpredictability of unregulated drugs, each of these 225,000 individuals is at risk of death.”

In Kamloops, people who work in harm reduction and overdose prevention say it is well past time to expand wraparound supports.

“Really, a combination between harm reduction measures, safe supply and more available treatment options for substance use and for mental health really need to come together if we’re going to be able to address the current crisis,” adds McKenna.

Along with getting drugs checked for contaminants, people who use substances are also urged to never use alone.

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No-cost substance checking options in Kamloops:

Mobile testing: Text 250 299 7219 or email k.mckenna@askwellness.ca.

ASK Wellness (North Shore) 433 Tranquille Road

Drop in – back entrance (red door)

Type of tests:

Take Home Fentanyl Test Strips
Onsite Fentanyl Test Strips
FTIR
Benzodiazepine Test Strips

Supervised Consumption Service (South Shore) 569 Seymour Street

Drop in – Crossroads Inn

Type of tests:

Onsite Fentanyl Test Strip
Take Home Fentanyl Test Strips
Benzodiazepine Test Strips
FTIR

Qwemstin Health Society 130 Chilcotin Rd.

Type of tests:

Take Home Fentanyl Test Strips

by Dylana Kneeshaw

As unregulated drug death crisis grows, users urged to take advantage of Kamloops drug checking options

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