Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has issued a drug alert for Squamish after a white powder sold as cocaine tested positive for both cocaine and fentanyl. The alert, issued on October 4, warns of the potential risk to those using the substance, as fentanyl significantly increases the likelihood of overdose.
VCH urges individuals who use drugs to have their substances checked at the Squamish overdose prevention site located on Third Avenue. Overdose prevention sites are staffed with trained professionals who monitor users while they consume substances, ensuring immediate assistance in the event of an overdose.
Drug checking allows users to identify the contents of their drugs and take steps to mitigate risks. VCH offers free and anonymous drug-checking services in Vancouver and across communities in BC. These include on-site testing, take-home fentanyl test strips, and advanced testing via FTIR Spectrometer, available at overdose prevention and supervised consumption sites.
People can also visit the Get Your Drugs Tested service in Vancouver or send substances by mail.
