Surrey RCMP issues fentanyl warning over ‘high potency’ batch
Posted October 20, 2022 3:46 pm.
Drug user in North Surrey are being told to be extra careful due to a “batch of high potency fentanyl circulating.”
The Surrey RCMP says there is an increased risk associated with this batch.
“Street doses of fentanyl can come in various different forms including a variety of colors and textures or pressed into a pill form that can resemble legitimate prescription drugs,” Mounties say.
The RCMP notes Fraser Health offers free and confidential drug checking in multiple areas of Surrey, New Westminster, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack. The test takes about 10 minutes, it says.
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“Fentanyl is around 20 to 40 times more toxic than heroin and 50 to 100 times more toxic than morphine, which makes the risk of accidental overdose higher,” according to the provincial Harm Reduction Program Toward the Heart.
Surrey RCMP reminds people who use drugs never use alone, to carry Narcan, and to use a supervised consumption site like SafePoint, which is located at 2-10681 135A Street.
People are also told to call 9-1-1 if they suspect someone is in trouble.
On Thursday, Fraser Health became the latest authority to implement a new alert system that warns people when toxic drugs are circulating in their communities.
Through the program, text notifications are sent to subscribers, who are given information about toxicity in drugs in their region.
