Drug alert for Squamish after powder tests positive for fentanyl

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 warning, issued Oct. 4, warns of the potential risk to those who use the substance, as fentanyl significantly increases the chance of an overdose.

VCH strongly encourages individuals who use drugs to have their substances checked at the Squamish Overdose Prevention Site on Third Avenue. The overdose prevention sites have trained professionals who monitor users during substance use and ensure immediate help in the event of an overdose.

Drug Checking allows users to identify the contents of their medications and take steps to reduce risk. VCH provides free and anonymous drug screening services in Vancouver and all communities in BC. These include on-site testing, take-home fentanyl test strips, and enhanced FTIR spectrometer testing available at overdose prevention and supervised consumption sites.

People can also visit the Get Your Drugs Tested service in Vancouver or mail substances.