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Overdose alert issued for Cranbrook area
Interior Health is warning Cranbrook and area that health services have reported an increase in overdoses with symptoms of: profound sedation; confusion; disorientation; and hallucination.
The BC Centre for Disease Control has issued a province-wide drug alert due to an increase in overdoses. The alert reports that opioids/down now often contain the sedative medetomidine.
Medetomidine causes deep, prolonged sedation, respiratory depression, slowed heart rate (bradycardia), confusion, and hypothermia.
It does not respond to naloxone, although naloxone should still be administered when opioid involvement is suspected.
When combined with opioids or other sedatives, medetomidine can lead to complex and prolonged toxicity, with withdrawal that may be severe and difficult to treat.
Consider these additional tips if you are going to use drugs:
Find more drug checking locations at www.drugchecking.ca
Be aware of risks if mixing with other drugs, including alcohol.
Use with others around or at an Overdose Prevention Site.
Start with a small amount and wait before taking more.
Space out your doses.
Carry naloxone and know how to use it.
Call 211 or visit bc211.ca to find services near you.
Get the LifeGuard App – lifeguarddh.com.
The alert is in effect until February 5.
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