Drug overdose alert in Squamish

Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a drug overdose alert in Squamish.

The Real-time Drug Alert & Response (RADAR) alert was issued yesterday, June 11.

Media relations for VCH, Rachel Galligan, said the alert was for a substance with the appearance of green pebbles that was sold as fentanyl.

The ‘green pebbles’ led to the overdose in the community.

VCH is strongly encouraging locals who use substances to visit the Overdose Prevention Site at 37930, Third Avenue to ensure they use safely under clinical supervision.

This will reduce their risk of a fatal overdose, Galligan said.

The OPS is open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

“VCH is gravely concerned about the continued rise in overdose deaths in our region. We have to focus our efforts to address the opioid overdose public health emergency at the same time as we address the ongoing pandemic,” she added.

People can help VCH warn others about contaminated street drugs by anonymously making a bad dope/RADAR report at www.vch.ca/overdose or texting “bad dope” to (236) 999-DOPE (3673).