Interior Health has issued a toxic drug alert for Nelson, Castlegar, Trail and Creston.
The health authority's statement Monday said drug checking had found high concentrations of fentanyl and benzodiazepines, as well as xylazine, in the local down supply.
The drugs had already impacted experienced users, said IH, with increased overdoses and deaths.
ANKORS at 101 Baker St. in Nelson offers free, anonymous drug checking.
In Trail, drug checking is available at the Community Inclusion Centre (1458 Bay Ave.) on income assistance day and the Wednesday two weeks before.
Take home fentanyl test strips are also available at various locations in each community. For more, visit drugchecking.ca.
