Toxic drug alert issued for Prince George

PRINCE GEORGE — A toxic drug alert has been issued for Prince George by Northern Health after a “significant increase” in overdoses.

Northern Health says a “light blue, chunk-like substance known as ‘down'” is reportedly causing users to experience extended periods of sedation, lasting several hours, after just one inhalation.

The health authority says that the substance has been linked to fatal overdoses and testing has confirmed the presence of high concentrations of fentanyl and bromazolam, which is a benzodiazepine.

There are two local overdose prevention sites in Prince George: