Interior Health has issued another toxic drug alert for the Kootenays, this time in Trail.

It came just five days after there was an alert for Nelson and Castlegar. The alerts have been issued because of tests showing substances in the area have a high risk of overdose because of fentanyl.

Unregulated toxic drugs are still a major issue in British Columbia: in 2016, illegal drug toxicity was declared a public a health emergency, and nearly 12,000 lives have been lost since.

Interior Health's Medical Health Officer Dr. Fatimeh Sabet says “it’s important for individuals to be more mindful and get their drugs checked.”

Harm reduction services like overdose prevention centers and supervised consumption sites provide safe spaces for drug users to prevent deaths, according to Interior Health. The organization's plans to open a safe inhalation site in Nelson are still on pause following community backlash this spring.

Dr. Fatimeh Sabet joined CJLY to discuss drug alerts and how to consume substances safely. Listen to the story below: