FENTANYL IN COCAINE

March 13, 2021 – Cape Breton, NS

Drug Harms Alert – Presence of fentanyl in Cocaine 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. 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.