{"id":53156,"date":"2025-03-19T10:06:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T13:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelaker.ca\/?p=53156"},"modified":"2025-03-19T10:06:11","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T13:06:11","slug":"unexpected-reactions-to-crack-results-in-drug-alert-from-n-s-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/?p=53156","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;Unexpected reactions to crack&#8221; results in drug alert from N.S. Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;235&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;188&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WEST HANTS<\/strong>: Unverified <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/hashtag\/drugalert?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZUa9NSAcL_rTNmwv45pukM2qMShgIkkeLKggmiYzkwFcAVSz7U5r0VlsiCPlkpHg7jSwiNZ5FVXm304D_Pyz82ctGKLzaUne-MjGIzq3MnKrTnOmhNCcZcgpe18rhedIyFcjaIk9Gv5UI2QK3UacMk_XMIjhbZnxMGAMo0MVu07Trc0AUKMEPE8LOtvoriQA4EuibSSg033AXZ_FPWSs0lw66xZKHojW2OKsYkGIR6EPW7g6AHOIlMb64zrjcgH0fs&amp;__tn__=*NK-y-R\">#DrugAlert<\/a> for March 18, 2025:N.S. Health has received reports from community partners of unexpected reactions to crack in the West Hants area in Nova Scotia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on the reactions observed, it is suspected to contain meth. We have also received reports from community partners of unexpected reactions to crack and ice blocks\/meth in the West Hants area in Nova Scotia. Based on the reactions observed, it is suspected to contain an opiod or benzo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drugs from the unregulated supply (\u201cstreet\u201d supply) are unpredictable \u2013 you don\u2019t know what is in them and you don\u2019t know how strong they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, stimulants like cocaine are contaminated with an opioid or benzos. What you think is crack is actually meth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;34&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;31&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why Is This Dangerous?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> If the stimulant you are using is contaminated with an opioid, you are at high risk of an overdose, which could be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are extremely powerful opioids in the drug supply, and taking even a small amount can be fatal (cause death), especially if you do not have tolerance to opioids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Not all opioids can be detected with fentanyl test strips, so people may not know they are taking them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Naloxone does NOT work on benzodiazepine, so if a benzo is involved, emergency help is critical. Call 911.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) 1-888-688-NORS so that they can spot you while you use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;71&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;192&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How to Stay Safe: Let someone know, start low, and go slow<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Let someone know \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Start with a very small amount \u2013 These drugs are stronger than what people may expect or be used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Have naloxone ready \u2013 Naloxone can help with opioid overdoses, but it will NOT work on benzodiazepines or tranquilizers. Even if you&#8217;re unsure what substance caused an overdose, always give naloxone\u2014it won\u2019t harm the person, but it may help if opioids are involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Call 911 immediately for any overdose \u2013 Even if naloxone is used, emergency help is still needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Check your drugs \u2013 Pills that look like real medicine could be fake and contain deadly drugs. Always assume street drugs are risky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Avoid mixing drugs \u2013 Combining opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol greatly increases the risk of overdose and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Go to an overdose prevention site \u2013 If available in your area, these sites provide a safe space with medical staff who can help in case of an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate group=&#8221;6&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;127&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Where to Get Help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overdose Prevention Sites (Supervised places where people can use drugs safely and get help if needed):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 ReFIX Halifax: 2151 Gottingen St. (902-209-9370)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 PeerSix Sydney: 75 Prince St. (902-567-1766)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If someone overdoses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Call 911 immediately \u2013 Tell them someone is unresponsive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 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 \u2013 give it anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Stay with them and make sure they can breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 If they stop breathing, perform rescue breaths until help arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If benzodiazepines or tranquilizers are involved, naloxone will NOT work (but will not cause harm if used) \u2014emergency medical care is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;126&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;206&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get Free Naloxone Kits: You can get naloxone for free at most pharmacies and harm reduction programs. To learn more, visit: Take Home Naloxone: <a href=\"https:\/\/mha.nshealth.ca\/en\/takehomenaloxoneprogram?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2a31pWRfxGcecDV1tupgpInuEAeAl6dz3c2LxVTRjpHs4kiba33EuaSlw_aem_c6jpt-d_UUo3pM5wr75LMg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/mha.nshealth.ca\/en\/takehomenaloxoneprogram<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Submit a drug alert: If you come across suspicious drugs or someone has a bad reaction, you can report it to NSDrugAlert@nshealth.ca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate group=&#8221;7&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;105&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;235&#8243;] [adrotate banner=&#8221;188&#8243;] WEST HANTS: Unverified #DrugAlert for March 18, 2025:N.S. Health has received reports from community partners of unexpected reactions to crack in the West Hants area in Nova Scotia. Based on the reactions observed, it is suspected to contain meth. We have also received reports from community partners of unexpected reactions to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":53158,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,957],"tags":[7988,7989,797,48,1617,1168],"class_list":["post-53156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-news","tag-crack","tag-drug-alert","tag-drugs","tag-n-s","tag-n-s-health","tag-west-hants"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=53156"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53156\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/53158"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=53156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=53156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=53156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}