The Fort St John RCMP are alerting the public about what appears to be a very toxic drugs currently being used and distributed in the Fort St John area.
Between April 3 and April 9, the Fort St John RCMP were called to the scene of three sudden deaths where the cause was believed to be consistent with an opioid overdose.
Mounties have found that a powerful synthetic opiate known as Isotonitazene which was found in counterfeit Oxycodone tablets. Police say that it is as potent or more potent than fentanyl.
On March 27, Northern Health put out a Drug Advisory for the entire Northern Health Region highlighting round white pills sold as Oxycocet, which contain the same isotonitazene.
Isotonitazene is not detected on fentanyl test strips. Police are informing the public because the Northern Health advisory expires on Thursday April 10.
“Because of the way ingredients for pills are mixed, the potency of each street pill can vary significantly, said Constable Chad Neustaeter, Media Relations Officer for the Fort St John RCMP.
Neustater added, “The pills are like making chocolate chip cookies, some cookies have 6 chocolate chips, others have 16 which, when it comes to fentanyl or synthetic opiates, can be fatal.”
The Fort St John RCMP want to remind people who use drugs to never use alone and to carry Narcan or Naloxone kits, which are available for free at the Salvation Army and various clinics.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can contact the B.C. Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service Line at 1-800-663-1441 to find services available to you.
Locally, you can also speak with a mental health clinician at the Fort St John Women’s Resource Society located at 9908 and 9912 96th Ave, Fort St John, BC. A list of local emergency contacts can also be found at their website.