BAD DOPE Alert - A purple down tested positive at Insite for fentanyl and etizolam, a benzo analog. An alert was sent out via text and a poster for this will also be circulated among the CoP/shared on the blog (now under resources tab). Please share with your networks and advise people to use at an OPS/SCS, call 911 if there is an overdose and be aware that a benzo OD can recur after naloxone has been administered.
Drug Checking monthly reports are uploaded on the drug checking blog under resources, just scroll down and you will find the report. The July report is now available!
Drug Checking events - A new drug checking trial at Powell Street Getaway is happening in August. Click the hyperlinks for the posters and more details can be found on the drug checking blog pages here or visit http://www.vch.ca/public-health/harm-reduction/overdose-prevention-response/drug-checking
BCCSU/ VCH Drug Checking schedule updates:
Spectrometer: VCH spectrometer technician is off work for now, and BCCSU technicians are at the Shambhala festival. Although there is not spectrometer drug checking this week, sites will continue to hand out test strips.
Supplies: To order any additional supplies email Jen Prest (jen.prest@vch.ca)
For shifts where drug technicians are currently not around to check drugs using the spectrometer, peers will still be offering drug checking services with test strips. Once a regular drug checking schedule is back up and running VCH will update everyone.
Thank you!