Salmon Arm RCMP warn of potent drug supply after overdoses

Salmon Arm RCMP are warning of a potent illicit drug supply in the B.C. Shuswap city after officers responded to two suspected overdoses in 24 hours, police said Tuesday.

The specific drug involved has not been identified, the RCMP said. Police said they advise against using any illicit substance but are sharing the information to prevent more overdoses.

Anyone who uses illicit drugs is advised not to use alone, to carry naloxone and to make sure both people know how to use it.

Police also pointed to a recent Interior Health alert about counterfeit tablets sold as Dilaudid, often called “dillies” or hydromorphone, that contain no hydromorphone. The fake tablets contain isotonitazene, which police said is considered up to 50 times stronger than fentanyl.

The RCMP said a newer lab-made opioid called cychlorphine, thought to be about 10 times more potent than fentanyl, is rare for now but may become more common. No test strips currently detect it, police said.

Anyone experiencing or witnessing an overdose should call 911 immediately. Interior Health posts current drug alerts on its website, and the full RCMP release is online.

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