Drug alert for purple fentanyl issued in Vernon

Interior Health is warning Vernon drug users to be wary of their supply, after receiving reports of purple fentanyl.

IH issued the alert on Friday, July 17, due to a drug being sold as purple fentanyl causing prolonged sedation.

The risk is that it’s an “overdose that may not fully respond to naloxone.”

**Drug testing alert** Vernon, July 17, 2020

Interior Health as issued a drug alert in Vernon for purple substance sold as Fentanyl causing prolonged sedation. May not fully respond to naloxone. Continue to give breaths and seek medical attention if naloxone does not work. pic.twitter.com/iSwMAxKLtZ

— Toward the Heart (@towardtheheart) July 18, 2020

The test results show the drug has a positive fentanyl strip with indeterminate benzo strip and methamphetamine and caffeine.

Anyone who uses an illicit drug is advised to:

• Avoid using different drugs at the same time or using drugs and alcohol together.
• Don’t use alone. Leave door unlocked. Tell someone to check on you.• Test by using a small amount, then go slow.
• Carry a Naloxone kit and know how to use it.
• Use at an overdose prevention or supervised consumption site if one is near you.

Drug checking is available in Vernon at Cammy LaFleur Street Outreach and Downtown MHSU and OPS.

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