Increase in non-fatal overdoses leads to Interior Health-wide drug alert
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KAMLOOPS — Interior Health has issued an overdose alert for its entire region as it warns of an increase in the number of non-fatal overdose events.
In a statement issued Friday (Sept. 5), the health authority said while the alert is not linked to any one substance, carfentanil, which is up to 100 times more potent than fentanyl, continues to be detected in British Columbia.
It notes when carfentanil is combined with opioids or other substances, its effects are amplified, greatly increasing the risk of fatal overdose.
“We have received reports from many communities across the Interior of increased overdose activity,” the Interior Health statement said. “Supporting these observations, BCEHS has noted a recent rise in overdose calls starting around Aug. 27, underscoring the ongoing challenges we face in this crisis.”
