**** NSHA Media Release
#DrugAlert for June 18, 2021
NSHA received reports from a community partner that a substance being sold as cocaine in the Amherst area may have been contaminated with an unknown substance that causes seizures.
With the possibility of substance contamination, it’s important to reduce the risk of overdose:
• 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 http://www.nsnaloxone.com/good-samaritan-act.html
