Image Credit: Interior Health

By Victor Kaisar

Drug Alert

Interior Health issues drug alert for Kamloops-area

May 30, 2025 | 5:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — Interior Health has issued a drug alert for the Kamloops area, warning of substances being sold as down, dope or fentanyl that have tested positive for carfentanil and benzodiazepines.

In the alert issued Friday (May 30), the health authority says the samples are beige and purple in colour and pose an extreme risk of a fatal overdose.

“Carfentanil is 50-to-100 times more potent than fentanyl and these drugs contain equivalent of up to a 10-to-50 per cent concentration of fentanyl,” Interior Health said in the alert.

Interior Health said the substances also contain various fentanyl analogues as well as benzodiazepine derivative Desalkylgidazepam and Flubromazepam.

It says users are also at risk of amnesia, sleepiness or they may nod off for a long time. They also note the overdose may not respond to naloxone and cautioned that smoking it is not safer than injecting.

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“If you think you have this drug, get it checked before using,” the alert said, noting people can call or text 250-299-7219 or to get their drugs tested.

Interior Health also said drug checking is available Mondays to Fridays between 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at ASK Wellness on Tranquille Road.

They’re also urging people to be be aware of risks of mixing substances with other drugs or alcohol and to never use alone.

A list of drug checking locations cam be found online here.

More information about the drug alert can be found here.