Fentanyl sold as meth in Penticton

Interior Health has issued a drug alert for Penticton after identifying pure fentanyl being sold as methamphetamine.

The health authority issued the alert Monday, May 29, after testing of a street drug being sold as “side,” “meth,” “crystal meth” and “methamphetamine” determined it contained only fentanyl with no other substances detected.

The drug, which resembles white crystals and powder, pose extreme risks of overdose and fatal overdose.

Lab testing of a substance circulating in Penticton and being sold as meth found the drug only contains fentanyl (photos courtesy of Interior Health)

IH advises people use fentanyl testing strips to find out if a drug contains fentanyl, have drugs checked and use at an Overdose Prevention Site, carry naloxone and know how to use it, use only a little bit at first, and do not mix with other drugs including alcohol.