86% of drugs checked at Insite contain fentanyl
“These initial results confirm our suspicion that the local drug supply is overwhelmingly contaminated with fentanyl,” says Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, medical health officer. “We’re hoping this information can help people who use drugs.”
For the first time, drug checking is being offered to clients at Insite so that they can see if their drugs contain fentanyl. So far in the first month of checking 86% of drugs checked contained fentanyl, and most often in heroin or heroin mixtures.
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate narcotic, a prescription drug used primarily for cancer patients in severe pain. It is roughly 50 to 100 times more toxic than morphine.
According to BC Coroners Service, from January 1 to July 31, 2016 there have been 433 illicit drug overdose (OD) deaths across BC. Fentanyl was detected in approximately 62% of these deaths.
Drug checking is a first
Since July, nurses at Insite have been offering each client a test strip so they can check their drugs at their injection station. The client dilutes their substance with a few drops of water and a positive or negative for fentanyl is revealed within seconds. This method exclusively checks for fentanyl and no other substances.
This service is currently being offered as a pilot. After six months, staff will evaluate the results to determine if it’s helping clients and whether to continue the service.
The results are being posted regularly at Insite for clients to view.
“With the number of overdoses rising it’s critical to empower people to learn about their risk of being exposed to this toxic substance. We’re hoping this will encourage them to use our harm reduction services like take-home naloxone kits, consider undergoing addiction treatment and take precautions like decreasing their dose or not using alone.”
More info
For more information about all of VCH’s activities around overdoses, and for info such as take home naloxone kits and how to recognize the signs of an overdose visit www.vch.ca/overdose.
VCH sites may also consider becoming a site where clients can pick up a take-home naloxone kit.
Mary Ackenhusen, CEO
VCH has such an important role and responsibility in BC and Canada to lead the “war” against overdose deaths. We need to continue to do research and spread out experience and learnings to other jurisdictions who may be early in addressing these issues.