Spike in overdose activity sparks drug warning in South Okanagan

Interior Health has issued a drug alert for the South Okanagan.

An increase in overdose activity may involve the use of a dark pink or purple substance being sold as “down.”

There has been a large increase in overdose events in Penticton, and some in Oliver and Osoyoos as well, the health authority said.

View image in full screen

Interior Health has not identified what is in the substance.

The health authority advises getting street drugs tested, starting use with small amounts, carrying a naloxone kit, and not using drugs alone.

3:09 Illicit drug deaths in B.C., Okanagan on the rise: officials

The drug alert is in effect until Nov. 11.

The BC Coroners Service says 46 people have died of drug overdoses in Penticton from 2018 to September of this year, six deaths occurred in Keremeos and seven in Princeton.

The three South Okanagan communities rank in the top 15 B.C. communities with the highest death rate per 100,000 people.