12/16/2025
We are sharing our care and concern for our community members, who are at heightened risk of harms due to the unpredictability of the strength and contents of drugs in the illegal drug supply.
This report came from a community source regarding Percocet 5mg (Oxycodone and acetaminophen) and extreme sedation.
Location/community of where the drug was used Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Date and time when the drug was used December 14, 2025
Name(s) of the drug (i.e. what was assumed to be used) Percocet 5mg
Description of the drug and its packaging Circular, round white pill with the letters TEC engraved on it. Identical to prescribed generic Percocet. Indistinguishable from the other pills purchased, where some pills were the right strength, and some were extremely strong. Pills have been widely distributed across province.
How the drug was used Snorted
Observed reaction of the drug used Extreme sedation, suspected high-potency opioid like fentanyl
Test-strip results (if used) N/A
No photo of the drug was available.
• Please share through your communication networks (e.g. posters in your service locations, conversations with individual clients, social media postings, etc.).
• Please also include the following harm reduction messages:
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:
🔗 Take Home Naloxone
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
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
More About Nova Scotia Health’s Drug Alert Service:
The purpose of the NSH Drug Alert System is primarily to receive and communicate community reports of overdose, suspected drug contamination, and other unexpected or elevated drug use-related harms. Information related to drug seizures by law enforcement may also be shared if substances of concern are detected. This list is intended for community-based organizations and health system services, and individuals interested in protecting their community. If you have any questions, would like to join, or would like to unsubscribe from this list, please send an email to NSDrugAlert@nshealth.ca.
NOTE: This distribution list is designed to establish a flexible, low-barrier, community-driven process for communicating unexpected drug use-related harm observed in the community. Information from community reports is not verified (i.e. not checked through official drug-checking services).
📝 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
