**** NSHA Media Release
#DrugAlert
We have received a report from a community partner regarding a recent sample of Dilaudid 8 containing fentanyl in the Halifax, NS area.
The drug is described as triangular/heart-shaped pills. Please be mindful of the following recommendations for harm reduction:
• 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.
Although naloxone only works to reverse opioid overdoses, there is no harm in administering it if you are unsure what kind of overdose you are witnessing. 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 nsnaloxone.com
• Call 911 in the event of an overdose. Know your rights under the Good Samaritan Act, nsnaloxone.com/good-samaritan-act
