Local substance users need to be extra vigilant after a second dirty drug alert in two weeks has been issued for Squamish.
Regional health authority Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) issued the most recent alert on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 1:30 p.m.
"Beige chunks sold as fentanyl in Squamish tested positive for fentanyl and bromazolam, a benzo analog," the alert reads.
"Substance has caused overdose."
Bromazolam, which was first detected in British Columbia in January 2021, was found 35% of unregulated drug deaths that were tested in 2023-2024, according to the BC Coroners Service.
Fentanyl was found in 84 % of those tested.
"Bromazolam is not approved for medical use in any country and can lead to serious adverse effects, including death, especially when taken with opioids such as fentanyl," reads a warning from the Fredericton Police Force from August, after the drug was circulating and causing overdose in that city.
On Oct. 4, VCH issued an alert for Squamish to notify substance users that "white powder sold as cocaine in Squamish tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl."
VCH advises folks to test their drugs.
The Squamish Overdose Prevention Site, located at 37930 Third Ave, is a harm reduction site that provides supervised consumption services, drug checking, and other harm reduction services.
You can sign up for the VCH drug alerts to be sent to your phone.
These are anonymous toxic drug and health alerts, and they are free.
To sign up, text the word JOIN to 253787 (ALERTS).
Go to Toward The Heart for more information.
