Toward the Heart: A Project of BC's Provincial Harm Reduction Program

06/12/2026

***Drug Alert - Maple Ridge - June 12, 2026***

Light brown granules sold as Down were found to contain very high concentrations of Carfentanil, a very toxic fentanyl analog.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than fentanyl. It is primarily used in veterinary medicine for large animals and is not intended for human use. Naloxone can reverse its effects, but multiple doses may be necessary. Monitor the person's breathing before administering more naloxone.

Friends, family, and community members using unregulated substances may face increased risk of overdose from injection, inhalation, and ingestion.

More info:

FIFA World Cup 2026 has started with Vancouver’s first game scheduled for tomorrow. Toxic drugs are circulating. Don’t use alone, carry naloxone and watch for road closures and other disruptions.

06/12/2026

***Drug Alert - Vancouver - June 11 - July 19, 2026***

VCH has issued a drug alert.

FIFA World Cup 2026 has started with Vancouver’s first game scheduled for tomorrow. Toxic drugs are circulating. Don’t use alone, carry naloxone and watch for road closures and other disruptions.

Check your drugs: https://www.vch.ca/en/service/drug-checking

Tell friends and visitors to sign up for Toxic Drug Alerts by texting JOIN to 253787 (ALERTS). For more information, go to: https://www.vch.ca/en/health-topics/harm-reduction

More info: ow.ly/n3zo50Y5bMw

Keeping people and communities safe and healthy by preventing infections, illness and injury related to drug use and sexual practices.

06/04/2026

***Drug Alert - Penticton - June 4, 2026***

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Penticton and surrounding area. Down sample contains cychlorphine, medetomidine, etizolam, fentanyl, and fluorofentanyl.

More info:

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Penticton and surrounding area. Down sample contains cychlorphine, medetomidine, etizolam, fentanyl, and fluorofentanyl. 

06/02/2026

***Drug Alert - Kelowna - June 2, 2026***

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Kelowna and surrounding area. Counterfeit (fake) tablets sold as Oxycodone/Percocet were found to contain Medetomidine. Medetomidine is a very strong tranquilizer. It can cause breathing and heart rate to slow down, which makes overdoses more complicated and last longer. Medetomidine is potentially dangerous to the heart. It does not respond to naloxone.

More info:

Drug poisonings are increasing in Mt. Waddington. Friends, family andcommunity members using unregulated substances face increased risk.

06/02/2026

**Island Health - Overdose Advisory - Mt. Waddington **

Drug poisonings are increasing in Mt. Waddington. Friends, family and
community members using unregulated substances face increased risk.

More info:

Drug poisonings are increasing in Mt. Waddington. Friends, family andcommunity members using unregulated substances face increased risk.

05/29/2026

***Overdose Advisory - Quesnel - May 29, 2026***

There has been an increase in overdose events in the community of Quesnel. Substances circulating in community are highly toxic, causing heavy and prolonged sedation, and require more naloxone to reverse. Overdoses are happening when the substances are smoked and/or injected.

More info:

There have been higher rates of drug poisonings in the Nanaimo area, therefore we are issuing a Drug Poisoning and Overdose Advisory to alert the community.  

05/28/2026

**Island Health - Overdose Advisory - Nanaimo**

There have been higher rates of drug poisonings in the Nanaimo area, therefore we are issuing a Drug Poisoning and Overdose Advisory to alert the community.

More info:

There have been higher rates of drug poisonings in the Nanaimo area, therefore we are issuing a Drug Poisoning and Overdose Advisory to alert the community.  

05/26/2026

***Toxic Drug Alert - Prince George - May 26, 2026***

Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority are issuing a Toxic Drug Alert for the community of Prince George. A yellow-orange substance sold as “down” has resulted in an increased number of overdoses.

This substance is highly toxic, causes heavy and prolonged sedation, and requires more naloxone to reverse. Overdoses happen when the substance is smoked and/or injected.

More info: ow.ly/n3zo50Y5bMw

05/19/2026

***Drug Alert - Kamloops - May 19, 2026***

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Kamloops and surrounding area. Purple/pink chunks/pebbles sold as down/dope/tranq/fentanyl were found to contain high amounts of medetomidine (16%) and fentanyl (29%). High risk of overdose and fatal overdose. Can cause dizziness, confusion, nausea, amnesia, sleepiness, and nodding out for a long time.

Medetomidine is a very strong non-opioid tranquilizer—much stronger than xylazine (200x).

It slows down breathing and heart rate and can make overdoses longer and more complicated. Medetomidine is potentially dangerous to the heart.

The high amount of fentanyl increases risk of fatal overdose. The combination of fentanyl and medetomidine can lead to significant sedation. Overdose symptoms may last beyond administration of naloxone.

More info:

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Kamloops and surrounding area. Purple/pink chunks/pebbles sold as down/dope/tranq/fentanyl were found to contain high amounts of medetomidine (16%) and fentanyl (29%). High risk of overdose and fatal overdose. Can cause dizziness, confusion, nausea, amnesia...

05/19/2026

People living with schizophrenia who use substances can be particularly vulnerable during extreme heat. Find out what supports can help with our resources below:

Supporting People Living With Schizophrenia During Extreme Heat
https://towardtheheart.com/resource/supporting-plws-extreme-heat/open

Prepare For Extreme Heat: A Guide for People Living with Schizophrenia
https://towardtheheart.com/resource/supporting-plws-extreme-heat/open