Drug Checking Trends:
It is still very frequent that the drug technicians are see a high amount of drugs being tested containing Benzodiazepines. Please refer to the 'Illicitly manufactured benzodiazepines in the local drug supply' letter which was recently circulated to the COP members and can also be found here. Please also still refer to the Overdose Response Management Guide for Benzo's and similar substances which can be found on the COP blog here.
Two text alerts for drug checking were shared this week:
White pebbles tested positive for fentanyl and xylazine at Molson OPS. Xylazine can cause slow heart rate and decreased breathing. Check your drugs.
Green down found in DTES. Positive for fentanyl and benzo's. Use at an OPS or SCS. Call 911 if OD occurs.
Drug Checking events are happening during Pride and 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:
There will be reduced drug checking shifts until further notice. See the blog for the schedule poster here.
BCCSU Shifts taking place are:
Tuesday – Molson OPS – 1-5
Wednesday – Insite – 3-7 and Safepoint – 10.30-5 (Abbotsford)
Friday – St. Paul’s Hospital – 1-4 Not available Fri 19th & 26th July
VCH shifts taking place are:
Wednesday – Overdose Prevention Society – 9–12 Not available Weds 24th July
- St. Paul’s Hospital – 1-4 - Not available Weds July 24th.
Thursday – Overdose Prevention Society – 9-12 Not available Thurs 18th & 25th July
Friday – Insite – 1-5
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.