09/25/2025
⚠We received a community report with the following details.
This report came from a community source regarding counterfeit dilaudid 8mg tablets.
- Location/community of where the drug was used: Dartmouth
- Date and time when the drug was used: Wednesday, September 24th
- Name(s) of the drug (i.e. what was assumed to be used): dilaudid 8 mg.
- Description of the drug and its packaging: Heart shaped – each pill had differently misaligned bisect and incorrect imprints of “APO”
- How the drug was used: Insufflation (snorting)
- Observed reaction of the drug used: Paranoia, unexpectedly strong for that dose and drug type.
- Test-strip results (if used): Negative for xylazine, not tested with fentanyl strip or other types of test strips
No photo of the drug was available.
Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Pills are in Nova Scotia
Counterfeit pills (fake or ‘pressed pills’) are potentially harmful to anyone who takes them because they are deliberately made to appear identical to prescription pills, but they have unknown ingredients that may be more powerful or a different type than what someone is used to.
Counterfeit hydromorphone tablets (D8s, ‘dillies’) may contain fentanyl or other synthetic opioids like nitazenes, as well as other drugs, like benzos or vet tranquilizers like xylazine or medetomidine.
Fentanyl test strips only detect fentanyl – they do not detect nitazenes, hydromophone or other opioids.
Naloxone will reverse a toxicity (overdose) if there are opioids present (fentanyl, nitazenes) but will not help reverse a benzo or tranq toxicity. Use naloxone and call 911.
How to Stay Safe: Let someone know, start low, and go slow
It can be hard to tell if a pill is real or fake. Assume all drugs purchased from the unregulated (illegal) supply may contain substances stronger than you are used to. Here are some safety tips:
✔ 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 may 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:
🔗 Take Home Naloxone
https://mha.nshealth.ca/en/takehomenaloxoneprogram
Know Your Rights:
Under the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, you cannot be charged for drug possession if you call 911 to help someone overdosing. Do not be afraid to call for help.
🔗 Your Rights – Good Samaritan Act
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/opioids/about-good-samaritan-drug-overdose-act.html
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
📝 How to Submit a Report to Request a Drug Alert
If you come across suspicious drugs or someone has a bad reaction, please send an email to NSDrugAlert@nshealth.ca with the subject line “Drug Alert”.
Please include as much of the following information as possible:
- Location/community of where the drug was obtained and used
- Date and time when the drug was obtained and used
- Name(s) of the drug (i.e. what was assumed to be used/what the drug was sold as)
- Description of the drug and its packaging, especially anything unusual
- How the drug was used
- Observed reaction of the drug used, especially those that are unusual compared to the expected effect of the drug
- Drug testing results (suspected composition of the drug)
- Photo of the drug, if possible
Optional Information to submit with report:
There is an opportunity to report gender, ethnicity, and age of the individuals who have reported a tainted substance to an organization, with the individual’s consent. If individual has provided consent, please consider sending along any, or all of the following: age, ethnicity and/or gender.
- Please note that this data (gender, ethnicity and age) is solely for internal use and is not reported to the general public.
- This data helps identify trends and high-risk groups for drug poisoning based on age, gender, and race. It targets harm reduction efforts, monitors new drug use patterns, and tailors support to specific needs. Demographic information also evaluates the impact of interventions over time, assessing their effectiveness and guiding necessary changes.
