Cocaine tainted with fentanyl found in Sydney, Nova Scotia Health warns

In this Postmedia file photo, a pile of cocaine is beside two bags of the illegal drug. POSTMEDIA/FILE PHOTO Article contentA Nova Scotia drug alert notifying the public of cocaine with fentanyl in it found in Sydney isn’t abnormal these days, said a spokesperson for the Ally Centre of Cape Breton.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentNova Scotia Health sent a drug alert through its social media channels on June 30 notifying people of a community partner contacting the tainted drug.Article contentArticle contentChristine Porter, executive director of the Ally Centre of Cape Breton, confirmed their non-profit notified Nova Scotia Health about the cocaine sample that had fentanyl in it.Article content“It was tested because of the reactions people were having to it. So, it was brought in because they wanted to know what was going on,”Article content“They said it didn’t taste right, and it was making them feel different. People were getting groggy whereas cocaine would not make you groggy. It’s not new. It’s nothing out of the ordinary here as of late. Cocaine is the drug of choice here in Cape Breton.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentMOST USED DRUG IN CBRMArticle contentIn the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM), cocaine is used substantially more than other drugs, said Porter.Article contentThe most recent statistics from data collected by Peer Six, the overdose prevention site in Sydney located at the Ally Centre, showed cocaine is reported at least five times more than other drugs.Article contentCollected from April 2024 – March 2025, the data shows:Article content11,229 visits5,175 times cocaine reported1,413 times cooking crack reported1,118 times Ritalin (methylphenidate brand) reported963 times Dilaudid (hydromorphone brand) reported842 times hydromorphone reported587 times Biphentin (methylphenidate brand) reported12 overdoses reversed (no fatal overdoses)11 of the 12 were cocaine overdosesArticle contentArticle content“It’s not just people who use substances all the time who use cocaine. It’s also used as a recreational drug around here.” — Christine Porter, Ally Centre of Cape BretonArticle contentArticle contentGO SLOW AND BE PREPAREDArticle contentPorter said it is important that anyone who uses substances be aware of how contaminated the drug supply is in the CBRM.Article contentArticle contentIt is also important that people that don’t use substances are also aware as an accidental overdose can happen anywhere.Article content“It’s not just people who use substances all the time who use cocaine. It’s also used as a recreational drug around here,” Porter said.Article content“For raves and just people going out on the weekend, some people would consider it a treat I guess but it’s a very dangerous world to dabble in these days. The toxic drug supply is here, unfortunately. It’s definitely quite apparent, at least in the coke that is going around.”Article contentFor people who use substances, Porter said remember “go slow and go low” which refers to using a little at a time, in case you have a negative reaction to what you are using.Article content“It’s very important that people treat every time that they are using as if they don’t know what’s in it,” she said.Article contentShe recommends people who use substances always carry a naloxone kit, to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose (like fentanyl) and suggests businesses have them on hand as well as train their staff how to use the drug; which is safe to use on people not experiencing an opioid overdose.Article contentWhen the Ally Centre posts these harm reduction strategies online, critics often attack them for promoting drug use. Porter said it’s about reducing risks to save lives, not promoting drug use.Article content“Saying no to using drugs is like saying don’t have a drink when you go out on the weekend for some people,” she said. “That’s how it is.”Article contentFentanyl testing strips are available for free at the Ally Centre of Cape Breton, Prince Street, Sydney.Article content