233050
230128

Kelowna  

Five OD at weekend event

UPDATE 6:05 P.M.

One person who attended the event over the weekend says one of the five people taken to hospital remains in critical condition in ICU.

According to the individual, one man was able to get to the lobby of a hotel before passing out.


Cocaine, possibly laced with fentanyl, marred an event over the weekend in Kelowna.

Interior Health has confirmed five people were taken to Kelowna General Hospital and have since recovered.

"We did receive reports of five accidental overdoses that occurred in Kelowna over the weekend. All associated with a common event on Saturday," said medical health officer Dr. Kamran Golmohammadi.

"The substance involved was reported to be cocaine that may have contained fentanyl. However, we cannot confirm the presence of fentanyl as Interior Health does not conduct toxicology testing."

Through the end of August, 27 people have died in Kelowna of a fentanyl overdose.

While not using drugs is the best way to avoid an overdose and other health impacts, Dr. Golmohammadi said health-care providers recognize some people will continue to use drugs.

The following tips can help reduce the risk.

  • Don’t mix different drugs (including pharmaceutical medications, street drugs, and alcohol)
  • Don’t take drugs when you are alone. Leave door unlocked. Tell someone to check on you.
  • Use less and pace yourself. Do testers to check strength – take a small sample of a drug before taking your usual dosage.
  • Keep an eye out for your friends – stay together and look out for each other.
  • Carry a Naloxone kit and know how to use it. A list of locations to get a kit can be found on the Interior Health website.    
  • Recognize the signs of an OD: Slow or no breathing, gurgling or gasping, lips/fingertips turning blue, difficult to rouse (awaken), non-responsive. 
  • If someone thinks they may be having an overdose or is witnessing an overdose, follow the SAVE ME steps and call 911 immediately, do not delay.


More Kelowna News