A Drug Poisoning Overdose Alert was issued yesterday (Tuesday) by Interior Health.
Katie Matuschewski, Clinical Operations and Mental Health and Substance Manager at IH said this Alert was a result of an increase in overdose fatalities in Williams Lake and surrounding area.
“So this is different from a Drug Alert so we don’t have drug samples to give us confirmation of what particular substance it was that was causing these fatalities, however we know it was coming from a toxic drug supply.”
Matuschewski said people are encouraged to get their drugs checked so Interior Health can alert about the contents in the supply and provide more details to the community and what to watch out for.
“If you want to learn more about drug checking and you can make a confidential call to Laura with the Williams Lake Boys and Girls club who is also doing our local drug checking, her phone number is 250-305-42-35.”
Matuschewski also noted that IH’s Substance Use Connections worker in Williams Lake is also available Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm to support anyone going through a substance use crisis that would need connection, support, and navigation to get that help.
That number is 250-267-6625.
Matuschewski added Interior Health’s Crisis Response Team available 7-days a week from 8 am to 8 pm and can be reached at 250-305-8946.
The Drug Poisoning Overdose Alert for Williams Lake and surrounding area will be in effect until may 7 2024.