Interior Health has issued a drug toxicity alert for the Merritt area, as well as in Kamloops.

The authority announced the alert on Feb. 11, 2022, cautioning users to be aware of white granules with coloured flecks, sold as crack cocaine. Product in the area has been founded to contain fentanyl, a toxic mix that often can lead to overdose.

The alert is in effect until Feb. 18.

Interior Health advises that if one wishes to use, they should take necessary steps to prevent overdose, such as not using alone, testing drugs with fentanyl test strips, and carrying a naloxone kit.