Drug poisonings have been on the rise as novel substances are being mixed into the province’s unregulated supply, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) says.

The centre says opioids like fentanyl are now being mixed with medetomidine — a sedative used by veterinarians that causes low heart rate, changes to blood pressure, and prolonged sedation. It can cause those who use it to get very sleepy or go unconscious, which increases the risk of blood poisoning.

Medetomidine does not respond to naloxone, further increasing risks to people who overdose.

“B.C. has experienced high and increasing paramedic-attended overdoses in recent months,” the centre said.

“At the same time, detections of medetomidine have increased in drug checking samples and law enforcement seizures.”

The BCCDC says medetomidine was detected in 38 per cent of opioid samples tested in November 2025.

Data from the BC Coroners’ Service shows the overall number of overdose deaths is not increasing, but the BCCDC says that even if the poisoning isn’t fatal, it can cause brain injury from lack of oxygen and other issues.

The centre advises users of unregulated drugs to test their drugs before using them, use with someone they trust, keep track of drug alerts, and have naloxone and learn how to use it.