Chief public health officer warns of 'brown crack' in Hay River, N.W.T.

The chief public health officer (CPHO) of the N.W.T. has issued a public health advisory after so-called "brown crack" was detected in Hay River. 

Brown crack is crack mixed with multiple other substances, including fentanyl; fentanyl analogues such as norfentanyl; methamphetamine and benzodiazepine.

Officials have previously detected benzodiazepines and fentanyl in drug samples in the region, but "the addition of methamphetamine is novel," the advisory, issued on Wednesday, reads.

"Anecdotally, the CPHO has received information that methamphetamines such as crystal meth [have] been gaining use in the Hay River community. This would be the first time that we can confirm through toxicology that crack cocaine is being mixed with methamphetamines."

Dr. Kami Kandola, the CPHO, issued the advisory for precautionary reasons, her office said, adding that there have been "no additional deaths associated with illicit drug contamination reported in the N.W.T."

People using illicit drugs need to know that their supply might be contaminated with synthetic stimulants (uppers) such as methamphetamine; opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil; and benzodiazepines (downers) such as alprazolam, according to the advisory.

That may cause the effects of the drug to last longer or be more potent and reduce the effectiveness of naloxone.

Public health officials are reminding people using the drugs to start slow, go slow, and let someone else know they are using illicit substances.

People showing signs of a benzodiazepine overdose should still use naloxone, they said, even though it won't halt the effects of those drugs.

Several doses of naloxone sometimes needed 

Naloxone may reverse the effects when opioids are also consumed, they explained.

Naloxone kits are available at a variety of locations in the Hay River region, including the public library, Ring's Pharmacy and the Judith Fabian Elders Centre on the Kátł'odeeche First Nation reserve. 

People may need to use several doses if opioids and benzodiazepines are mixed, Kandola's office said.

Anyone suspecting an overdose should call 911 or their local health centre and stay with the person until help arrives.

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects people involved in overdoses from being charged for possession of a controlled substance. 

People who want help to reduce or stop using illicit substances safely can call 811 or visit their local health centre.