Toxic drug deaths in B.C. may be declining, but health officials warn that drug poisonings are on the rise across the province.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control says new substances in the unregulated drug supply are increasing overdose risks, especially as opioids like fentanyl are now often mixed with medetomidine, a strong veterinary sedative.
This drug can slow the heart rate, alter blood pressure, cause prolonged sedation, and make people extremely drowsy or unconscious.
Fraser Health’s Dr. Rahul Walia says the spike in overdoses and the appearance of medetomidine happened suddenly, with higher concentrations now showing up in the supply. It’s about 200 times more potent than xylazine, another veterinary sedative.
In November 2025, medetomidine was found in 38% of opioid samples tested by the B.C. Centre for Substance Use.
Paramedics have been treating more overdoses lately, and while deaths aren’t increasing, the BCCDC warns that non-fatal poisonings can cause serious harm like brain injury. They urge people to avoid unregulated opioids, get drugs tested, use supervised consumption sites or avoid using alone, and carry naloxone, which works on opioids and is safe to give even if other depressants like medetomidine are involved.
With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Isabella Zavarise
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