Increase in drug overdoses in 2 B.C. cities prompts warning from health officials

An increase in overdoses in two B.C. cities prompted a warning from public health officials a day after a similar advisory was issued elsewhere in the province.

An increase in overdoses in two B.C. cities prompted a warning from public health officials a day after a similar advisory was issued elsewhere in the province.

The Fraser Health Authority is warning users in Abbotsford and Surrey to be extra cautious following an increase in overdoses in the cities last week.

FH officials said it doesn't appear that the overdoses are tied to one particular substance, but to different samples of opioids including heroin.

They're advising users to be especially careful if using opioids and stimulants together, as there's an increased risk of overdose from injection and inhalation.

The warning from the health authority's harm reduction team was posted Feb. 17, just one day after staff at Interior Health warned of extreme levels of fentanyl and benzodiazepines found in drugs being sold as down or fentanyl.

The high concentrations were found in samples of "all colours and texture," Interior Health said in an advisory posted online on Feb. 16. https://bc.ctvnews.ca/drugs-with-extreme-fentanyl-benzo-levels-increasing-overdose-risk-in-b-c-interior-1.5784582

Officials in the Interior said there was a high risk of fatal overdose associated with the substance, as well as an unresponsiveness to the overdose antidote naloxone due to the presence of benzos.