Today’s Poll

Drug Alert for Grand Forks

Contributor
By Contributor
December 7th, 2019

In a media release Friday afternoon, Interior Health said it has been notified of recent DAS Health Canada lab findings that have cause for concern in the City of Grand Forks.

The IH release said:

  • Sample was received by DAS labs with CDN 80 markings and contained AB-FUBINACA, fentanyl, cocaine and acetylfentanyl (see attached poster)
  • Sample was received on November 20 and IH received confirmed by DAS labs on December 4th.
  • DAS lab records indicate this is the first time the substance has been seen in the community and is associated with overdoses or deaths.

·         AMB-FUBINACA can cause hallucinations, delirium, confusion and severe CNS depression (i.e slow/no breathing) in high doses.

For more information the public is urged to please visit the link from Alberta Health Services to learn more about AMB-FUB.  

IH said this alert is localized only to the community of Grand Forks.

People who are considering using drugs experimentally or for recreational purposes are encouraged to avoid the use of illegal drugs at this time. Anyone using illegal drugs is advised to take steps to reduce the risk:    

  • Don’t mix different drugs (including pharmaceutical medications, street drugs, and alcohol).
  • Don’t take drugs when you are alone. Leave door unlocked. Tell someone to check on you.
  • Use less and pace yourself. Do testers to check strength – take a small sample of a drug before taking your usual dosage.
  • Keep an eye out for your friends – stay together and look out for each other.
  • Carry a Naloxone kit and know how to use it. A list of locations to get a kit can be found on the Interior Health website or on the Toward the Heart website.   
  • Recognize the signs of an OD: slow or no breathing, gurgling or gasping, lips/fingertips turning blue, difficult to rouse (awaken), non-responsive. 
  • If someone thinks they may be having an overdose or is witnessing an overdose, follow the SAVE ME steps and call 9-1-1 immediately, do not delay.
  • Consider treatment options – talk with your health-care provider or contact one of our Mental Health and Substance Use offices in IH, which offer a full range of services to improve the health and well-being of people with substance use problems. In addition, you can contact HealthLinkBC / 8-1-1 or visit the provincial government website, which offers information about recovery services and treatment support.

Nelson has an Overdose Prevention Site located at ANKORS . More information on ANKORS services is available at this link.

Categories: GeneralHealth

Other News Stories

Opinion