The synthetic opioid fentanyl is believed to be behind a spike in drug-related overdoses in the city, Northern Health said Friday.
Over a 24-hour period late this week, five people, all regular users of opioid drugs such as heroin were brought into the emergency department at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. for treatment, and all survived.
Northern Health and Prince George RCMP have launched an investigation into the cause but suspect fentanyl - a synthetic narcotic that is 50 to 100 times more toxic than other opioids - is the reason.
Fentanyl has been detected in toxicology testing of two drug overdose deaths in northern B.C. earlier this year.
"The dose must be carefully monitored to avoid accidental overdose," Northern Health said. "This makes it particularly high risk for people who have never used opioids or for people who may mistakenly use fentanyl thinking it is something else."
Users are urged to call 911 if they think they're overdosing. Early signs of trouble include severe sleepiness, slow heartbeat, trouble breathing, slow, shallow breathing or snoring, cold, clammy skin and trouble walking or talking.
Users are also urged to refrain from using alone, to start with a small amount and to learn about naloxone, a medication that reverses the effects of an overdose from opioids.
Three locations in downtown Prince George provide naloxone:
- Northern Health's needle exchange, 1108 Third Ave., at the corner of Third and George, across from the courthouse.
- Central Interior Native Health Society, 365 George St., near the corner of George and Fourth.
- Blue Pine Primary Health Clinic, #102 1302 Seventh Ave., at the corner of Seventh and Quebec.
