Health Canada Urges Caution Despite Drug Testing

Every summer across Canada thousands of people attend music festivals, and many of them will consume recreational drugs while there. In an effort to curb overdose deaths, Health Canada has released warnings and advice for festival-goers this season. Drug testing has become more common, especially in BC as the province works to reduce its staggering amount of overdose deaths. Health Canada urges people to test their drugs prior to using them, but wants users to exercise caution as no test is perfect.

 

Drug Testing Strips

At the end of 2017 Health Canada recommended fentanyl test strips to help drug users make educated decisions about their drug use. During tests undertaken by the department the strips always detected fentanyl, however could not always detect fentanyl analogues like carfentanyl. In BC, these fentanyl test strips have been available at the supervised-injection site, Insite since 2016 and were made available at more Downtown Eastside locations in 2017. Vancouver Coastal Health Authority said substance users at Insite whose drugs tested positive for fentanyl were 10 times more likely to reduce their dose. The positive benefits of these strips has meant they are now more widely available across the province.

 

Music Festival Etiquette

Health Canada wants revelers to know:

• Illicit drugs can be tainted with all kinds of dangerous substances, including fentanyl
• Do not mix drugs and alcohol, and do not leave your drink unattended
• Never use drugs alone, and check on your friends

As well, the government wants people to know what an overdose looks like:

• Difficulty walking and talking
• Very small pupils
• Cold and clammy skin
• Extreme drowsiness or inability to wake up
• Choking, gurgling, slow or weak breathing

 

Opioid Overdoses Fueled By Fentanyl

Prescription opioids have recently been blamed in the media for the surge in opioid addiction and overdose. However, opioid related overdoses and deaths are still rising despite declines in prescriptions written and total opioids dispensed by Canadian pharmacies. Illegal fentanyl and carfentanyl continue to be the driving cause of overdose deaths. Last year opioids killed nearly 4000 Canadians, up 1000 from 2016. In 2017, fentanyl was associated with 84% of overdose deaths in BC. If you are attending a music festival this summer and plan to take drugs, check to see if the event has a drug testing station. Many do these days and they could save your life! However, use caution as not all testing methods can test for everything, especially the highly toxic carfentanyl.

 

References:

• Canadian Government Offers Tips for Safer Drug Use as We Head Into the Summer Music Festival Season
• BC Expands Access to Fentanyl Testing, Asking Users to Check Their Drugs
• Information Update – Drug Use During Festival Season

The post Health Canada Urges Caution Despite Drug Testing appeared first on Canada Drug Rehab.