Potentially dangerous drug found for first time in province: N.S. Health
Posted Mar 20, 2026 05:08:23 AM.
Last Updated Mar 22, 2026 09:21:46 AM.
Nova Scotia Health has issued a warning after police uncovered a drug that has never previously been seen on Halifax streets.
An alert was sent out over social media on Tuesday by Nova Scotia Health, after lab testing was done, warning that ethylbromazolam has appeared in the province’s unregulated drug supply.
Sara Wuite, a harm reduction consultant with NSH says the unauthorized drug, which is a type of a benzodiazepine was found by law enforcement alongside cocaine, a central nervous stimulant.
“When you have benzodiazepines showing up with stimulants, it actually can produce the opposite effects of what people are expecting,” she said. “I would say the other thing that is important here is that benzodiazepines do not respond to naloxone, which is the medication that reverses an opioid toxicity.”
In spite of that, however, NSH does recommend naloxone as the agency says “it won’t harm the person, but it may help if opioids are involved.”
Wuite says health officials recommend people who use drugs to start with low doses, increase intake slowly and to never use alone.
The health agency says people should always use alongside a trusted individual who can call 911, if necessary or call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-NORS. Operators will stay on the phone as individuals use, so they can get help if required.
Anytime a new substance shows up in the province, alerts are issued by NSH since dangerous reactions could possibly result.
