B.C. reports a record surge in 911 calls for toxic drug overdoses as health officials warn of a tainted supply mixed with a potent animal sedative.
B.C. Sets New Record for Toxic Drug 911 Calls
Spike Reported by Health Authorities
British Columbia health officials say the province experienced a record-setting surge in 911 calls linked to toxic drug poisonings last week. The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) confirmed the trend after emergency services logged unprecedented daily call volumes, including a new one-day high recorded on Nov. 19. The increase has raised fresh alarm about the evolving dangers of the unregulated drug supply.
Emergency Crews Overwhelmed Across the Region
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services reported its own record on Nov. 21, when firefighters responded to an unusually high number of overdose incidents across the city. Crews handled an average of 45 poisoning-related calls through the week, peaking at 54 on Friday—one of the highest single-day totals the service has ever recorded. Officials say the wave of emergencies mirrored regional spikes, including more than 80 overdoses in the Cowichan Valley on Nov. 18, where a local shelter ran out of naloxone.
Health Officials Warn of Highly Tainted Supply
Public health authorities say the surge is strongly linked to fentanyl being mixed with medetomidine, a veterinary tranquilizer that does not respond to naloxone. Vancouver Coastal Health and the FNHA issued alerts about an increasingly unstable drug supply after identifying a rise in non-fatal overdoses tied to the contaminant. Symptoms include prolonged sedation and dangerously low heart rates, complicating emergency response efforts.
Concerns About Reversing a Downward Trend
As of Sept. 30, the B.C. Coroners Service has recorded an estimated 1,384 deaths linked to unregulated drugs this year—31 per cent lower than two years ago. Officials fear the new spike in poisonings could undermine that downward trend. FNHA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nel Wieman said the sudden escalation is “deeply concerning,” emphasizing the unpredictable nature of illicit drug manufacturing and distribution.
Socioeconomic Patterns Also Noted
Emergency crews say timing played a role. Vancouver Fire Rescue noted the spike coincided with “cheque week,” when income assistance payments are issued—an event long associated with increased drug use across the province. While overdose calls had declined through the summer, officials say last week’s surge marked a sharp and troubling reversal.
Frontline Workers Urge Caution and Drug Checking
Health authorities continue to encourage drug users not to consume alone and to access drug-checking services whenever possible. Although medetomidine does not respond to naloxone, officials stress that naloxone should still be administered in suspected overdoses. Dr. Wieman cautioned against misinformation and underscored the impact of harm-reduction programs, crediting frontline teams for preventing an even greater loss of life.
