SUNAR - Substance User Network of the Atlantic Region

03/18/2026

Verified , March 17, 2026:

We have received a report regarding a recent sample that was seized by law enforcement in Halifax County and was tested (verified) at the national Drug Analysis Service laboratory. The date the sample was received is March 10. The report indicated the first detection of a substance of concern, ethylbromazolam (a benzodiazepine), i.e., this is the first time this drug has been detected in Nova Scotia’s unregulated drug supply. Co-occuring substances detected include co***ne, fluorofentanyl (a fentanyl analog), phenacetin and caffeine.

How to Stay Safe: Let someone know, start low, and go slow.

✔ Do NOT use drugs alone – Use with someone you trust or call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-NORS. They will stay on the phone with you while you use, so they can get you help if needed.

✔ Start with a very small amount – These drugs are stronger than what people may expect or may be used to.

✔ Have naloxone ready – Naloxone can help with opioid overdoses, but it will NOT work on other substances, such as benzodiazepines. Even if you're unsure what substance caused an overdose, always give naloxone—it won’t harm the person, but it may help if opioids are involved.

✔ Call 911 immediately for any overdose – Even if naloxone is used, emergency help is still needed.

✔ Expect the unexpected – Always assume street drugs may not be what you think and contain drugs different from or stronger than you expect. Pills that look like real medicine could be fake.

✔ Avoid mixing drugs – Combining opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol greatly increases the risk of overdose and death.

✔ Go to an overdose prevention site – If available in your area, these sites provide a safe space to use drugs with medical staff who can help in case of an emergency.

• ReFIX Halifax: 2151 Gottingen St. (902-209-9370)
• PeerSix Sydney: 75 Prince St. (902-567-1766)

If someone overdoses:

· Call 911 immediately – Tell them someone is unresponsive.
· Give naloxone if you have it. More than one dose may be needed if high potency opioids are involved. If there are no opioids, naloxone will be ineffective but will not cause harm – give it anyway.
· Stay with them and make sure they can breathe.
· If they stop breathing, perform CPR until help arrives.

Get Free Naloxone Kits: You can get naloxone for free at most pharmacies and harm reduction programs. To learn more, visit https://mha.nshealth.ca/en/takehomenaloxoneprogram

Looking for help?

• Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line – 1-888-429-8167
• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868; Text CONNECT to 686868
• Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service - (Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30; Tues and Thurs until 8 pm) - 1-855-922-1122
• 211 Nova Scotia - information and referrals to community and social services: Call 2-1-1 or 1-855-466-4994; Email: help@ns.211.ca

Nova Scotia Health is committed to building culturally safe spaces. Language not respectful of other users of the site (including harassing, aggressive, or abusive language) will be removed.

05/07/2025

Just wanting to thank the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia for funding our current initiative, the ROUTE (Relationships, Opportunities, United Together for Empowerment) Project. For more information, please see our webpage, at https://www.sunar.ca/routeproject

03/30/2025

Drug containing multiple opioids, stimulants, and tranquilizer - new opioid in Nova Scotia

March 11, 2025 – Amherst, Nova Scotia

SUNAR received this report through the Nova Scotia Drug harms alert.

This report was Verified through : Drug Analysis Service Laboratory
Sample of drug was received on January 9th. It’s appearance was described as brownish rock, with a powder and grainy texture. Sample contained : N-Pyrrolidino Metonitazene – a benzimidazole – a type of opioid, which is 2x Stronger than Fentanyl and May need more than one dose of Naloxone!

This drug is a strong synthetic opioid, It cannot be detected using fentanyl test strips, making it even more dangerous!

Use naloxone to reverse opioid toxicity, call 911 for help to address benzo and co***ne toxicity

The sample also had the following in it : Fentanyl, Co***ne, Furanyl UF-17, Xylazine and Caffeine.

12/02/2024

The Community Urinalysis and Self-Reporting Project (CUSP) has released a new report series. These reports highlight trends in unregulated drug use and show the differences between what people think they’re using and what they’re actually using. These differences can increase the risk of harm or even death.

Take a moment to learn more about these reports and share them on your social media networks to help spread awareness and support our mission to reduce harm.

The new report series : https://www.ccsa.ca/urinalysis-and-self-reporting -overview-and-history

11/22/2024

On behalf of the Government of New Brunswick A shelter for unhoused people will soon be opening in Saint John.

11/22/2024

Stigma kills and nothing stigmatizes more than a criminal record. This is why we call for decriminalization.



➡️ First, structural stigma is created through laws & policies.

➡️ Those fuel the second kind of stigma — social stigma, in which society dehumanizes & judges people for using drugs.

➡️ Third is self-stigma — this shame is one of the main reasons people use drugs alone & die.

Stigma is a killer‼️

11/22/2024

It's been 35 years since the Canadian House of Commons unanimously pledged to end child poverty by 2000—and yet the issue persists.

New Brunswick's 2024 Child and Family Poverty Report Card, released today by the Human Development Council, shows a troubling trend: child poverty rates are on the rise. Urgent action is needed from all levels of government to reaffirm that 1989 parliamentary promise and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.

The map below shows that child poverty is unevenly distributed among New Brunswick cities, with the highest proportions in the northern and southern parts of the province.

Read the full report on our website: https://sjhdc.ca/report-category/poverty-reduction/

10/10/2024

Remember to check in ♥️ we care about your mental health and wellness 🫶🏻

10/04/2024

Humanism is a helper named , Julie.

Thank you for your legacy of love and lending a beautiful hand and heart to others in need.

🖖💞

The University of New Brunswick (UNB) will grant two honorary degrees to an outstanding community leader and leading historian at the fall graduation ceremonies in Fredericton and Saint John on Oct. 24 and 25.

09/20/2024

Mainline staff and SUNAR member, Thomas Hendsbee, providing court support in Halifax today. You rock, Thomas!

09/09/2024

Check out this amazing free learning opportunity from the fine folks at CATIE. Thank you for your commitment to care and helping communities.

Presented in partnership with the HIV Legal Network This webinar explores how groups and advocates have used the legal system to influence the development and implementation of health services for people who use drugs. It provides an overview of how laws and policies can impact harm reduction, as we...

09/06/2024

Thank you Thomas!