Drug alert issued for powerful opioid detected for first time in N.S.
Giuliana Grillo de Lambarri | CBC News | Posted: March 21, 2025 1:00 PM | Last Updated: March 21
Synthetic opioid found in Amherst area twice as powerful as fentanyl, says Nova Scotia Health advisory
A warning has been issued about the discovery of a powerful drug that's never been previously detected in Nova Scotia's illegal drug stream.
It's the second similar public alert posted online by the Nova Scotia Health Authority within the last month.
RCMP found N-Pyrrolidino metonitazene, a synthetic opioid known as "brown sugar," during a search they conducted in December in the Amherst, N.S., area as part of an investigation into a stolen dirt bike, an RCMP spokesperson said.
Testing at the national drug analysis service laboratory recently confirmed the sample also contained a mix of fentanyl, cocaine, caffeine and a tranquillizer. The drug was also identified in Quebec and Ontario earlier this month.
The alert described the drug's appearance as a "brownish rock" with a grainy texture.
Rebecca Penn, a harm reduction consultant with Nova Scotia Health, said the opioid is twice as powerful as fentanyl, and warned that mixing opioids and a tranquillizer can slow a person's breathing and heart rate, which can lead to a fatal overdose.
Penn said naloxone can counter the effects of the opioid, but more than one dose may be required. However, because naloxone is not effective against cocaine and tranquillizers, she said people should contact emergency services immediately if someone appears to be overdosing.
"We have to assume that we don't really know what's going on with what's in the substance that we're consuming," she said. "When you get something from the unregulated supply, there's no label. And so you have no idea what it contains."
'Another crisis' in the province
Four Nova Scotians have died from opioid overdoses in 2025, based on preliminary data from the province. Last year, there were 69 confirmed and probable opioid toxicity deaths in Nova Scotia.
"This is another crisis that's unfolding in our province," Penn said.
Ashley Legere, executive director of the Cumberland Homelessness and Housing Support Association, said the newly found opioid is only one of the drugs on the streets of her community.
"Dead people don't get the chance to recover," Legere said. "We want to make sure that every one of our community members gets to stay alive and that we get to support them."
Cpl. Troy Gill of Cumberland County RCMP said police are uncertain if this specific drug arrived from New Brunswick but some of Amherst's illegal drug supply does come from that province because of the town's proximity to the border.
"Our officers have to be vigilant and the community as well," Gill said. "If they come across these drugs, they must not touch them and they call the authorities right away because of the potency of them."
RCMP made the initial drug seizure late last year as part of a search after they arrested a man in the Amherst area in relation to a dirt bike that had previously been reported stolen.
Jesse Parlee, 32, of Moncton, N.B., was charged with a slew of offences.
He appeared in Amherst provincial court on Feb. 5 and received a sentence of four years in relation to the charges, RCMP confirmed Monday.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, here's where to look for help:
- Call 911 for emergencies.
- If you are using drugs alone, call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-NORS.
- Harm Reduction Services list in Nova Scotia.
- Government of Canada list of resources and services.
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.
MORE TOP STORIES