Police are issuing a warning to drug users in Nova Scotia that the illegal drugs they are taking may contain dangerous cutting agents.
“With illegal drugs, you can’t be sure of what you’re taking,” said RCMP Cpl. Curtis Kuchta in a news release.
READ: Amherst man charged following drug seizure at traffic stop
Earlier this year, Kuchta says the Inverness Street Crime Enforcement Unit seized a substance which was determined to be 5 per cent cocaine and 95 per cent cutting agents.
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Police say cutting agents can lead to serious harm or death.
Substances that have been detected as cutting agents in drugs seized in Nova Scotia include methamphetamine, phenacetin, levamisole, lidocaine and benzocaine. Police say they are also concerned about fentanyl being used as a cutting agent in the future.
“These cutting agents are dangerous and it’s important for drug users to know that what they’re buying isn’t always what the dealer says it is,” said RCMP Cpl. Dal Hutchinson.
“We’re asking people to think seriously about the many risks of taking drugs and to reach out to addictions resources for help.”
READ MORE: Four-year-old rushed to hospital after eating marijuana edible
To reduce the risk of an overdose,police are asking people not to use drugs alone and always carry naloxone.
To find the closest pharmacy that offers kits, visit the Nova Scotia Take Home Naloxone Program website.
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