Subject line: Drug Harms Alert – Presence of fentanyl in Cocaine

Hello, 

You are receiving this message as a part of Nova Scotia’s Drug Harms Alert distribution list. 

We received reports from a community partner today that a substance being sold as cocaine has had positive test results for the presence of fentanyl in the Cape Breton Regional area. 

Location/community of where the drug was used

Cape Breton area, Nova Scotia 

Date and time when the drug was used

Friday March 12 in North Sydney, likely used in other areas in Cape Breton

Name(s) of the drug (i.e. what was assumed to be used)

Cocaine 

Description of the drug and its packaging

Unknown 

How the drug was used

Unknown 

Observed reaction of the drug used

Use of substance produced opioid-like effects; feeling extremely tired after use; nodding off; experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Substance tested positive for fentanyl using a fentanyl test strip. 

No photo of the drug in either area was available. 

Please share through your communication networks (e.g. posters in your service locations, conversations with individual clients, social media posting, etc).

Please also include the following harm reduction messages: 

·        Don’t use alone, if possible. Keep a distance of 2 meters and respect public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 if using substances with others. If you have to use alone, call a trusted support person and let them know you are using alone and provide them with your location.

·       Start with a test dose. Start low, go slow. 

·        Have naloxone available, even if you aren’t intentionally using opioids. Naloxone is available for free from most community pharmacies and other community locations, including needle distribution and disposal organizations. For more information about where to get a free naloxone kit and how to use it, visit http://www.nsnaloxone.com/

·       Call 911 in the event of an overdose. Know your rights under the Good Samaritan Act.

NOTE: This distribution list is designed to establish a flexible, low-barrier, community-driven process for communicating unexpected drug use-related harms observed in the community. Information in the alerts is not verified.

The purpose of this list is to receive and communicate community reports of overdose, suspected drug contamination, and other unexpected or elevated drug use-related harms. This list is intended for community-based organizations and health system services who provide front-line services to people who use drugs. If you have any questions, would like to join, or would like to unsubscribe from this list, please send an email to NSDrugAlert@nshealth.ca. 

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To submit a report, please send an email to NSDrugAlert@nshealth.ca with the subject line “Drug Report”. Please include as much of the following information, as possible:

1.      Location/community of where the drug was used

2.      Date and time when the drug was used

3.      Name(s) of the drug (i.e. what was assumed to be used)

4.      Description of the drug and its packaging, especially anything unusual

5.      How the drug was used

6.      Observed reaction of the drug used, especially those that are unusual compared to the expected effect of the drug

7.      Photo of the drug, if possible

When gathering information about a drug, such as taking pictures, please ensure you respect the confidentiality and anonymity of clients and consider safety first. Please do not include confidential or individually identifiable information (e.g. client name or picture).