WRTHS Harm Reduction & Addictions Services

12/19/2025

Drug Alert: Winnipeg - Fri. December 19, 2025

On November 28, a sample of a burgundy/brown pebble believed to be sold as DOWN was found to contain a mix of fentanyl analogues, medetomidine (an animal tranquilizer) and benzodiazepines.

Combining these substances is more likely to cause complex overdose. Naloxone does not work on tranquilizers or benzos.

The sample was associated with a severe drug poisoning where 2 hours and 10 doses of naloxone were required to revive a person.

Health Canada Drug Analysis Service results:
Para-Fluorofentanyl (22.1%)
Ethylflualprazolam (3.32%)
Ethylbromozalam (2.71%)
Medetomidine (1.33%)
Caffeine (58%)
Fluoro 4-ANPP (no percentage available)

Source: Street Connections https://safersites.link/251219sc

Get printable handbills and a poster at our website (link in bio)
http://www.safersites.ca/20251219winnipeg

Facebook is starting to censor our drug alerts! Visit https://www.safersites.ca/join to receive drug alerts in your email inbox.

If you are using substances, please:
* Use with a friend and stagger your use
* Start low and go slow
* Have and know how to use naloxone

If you are using alone, consider calling a friend or the NORS line at 1-888-688-NORS so they can spot you.

Get your drugs checked:
Nine Circles, Tu/W/Th, 10am-4pm, parking lot door of 705 Broadway Ave
Street Connections, M/W/F, 8:30am-3:30pm, 496 Hargrave St
— Anonymous fee-based mail-in service
NOTE: FTIR testing is temporarily not available at the Mobile Overdose Prevention Site (MOPS)

If you are experiencing grief from losing loved ones to drug toxicity, please know you are not alone. If you need to talk to someone, please call the crisis line at Klinic: 204-786-8686 or toll free 1-888-322-3019

12/18/2025

Drug Alert: Winnipeg - Thu. December 18, 2025

Outreach workers in the Main & Logan area have responded to multiple overdoses attributed to GREEN DOWN, either light or dark green in colour.

Community members have also reported overdoses on Green Down in other parts of the city.

Workers responding to these drug poisoning events reported low heart rates (38-55) that climbed to 75 with oxygen therapy. Some required multiple doses of naloxone, and some required paramedics.

Get printable handbills and a poster at our website (link in bio)
http://www.safersites.ca/20251218winnipeg

Facebook is starting to censor our drug alerts! Visit https://www.safersites.ca/join to receive drug alerts in your email inbox.

If you are using substances, please:
* Use with a friend and stagger your use
* Start low and go slow
* Have and know how to use naloxone

If you are using alone, consider calling a friend or the NORS line at 1-888-688-NORS so they can spot you.

Get your drugs checked:
Nine Circles, Tu/W/Th, 10am-4pm, parking lot door of 705 Broadway Ave
Street Connections, M/W/F, 8:30am-3:30pm, 496 Hargrave St
— Anonymous fee-based mail-in service
NOTE: FTIR testing is temporarily not available at the Mobile Overdose Prevention Site (MOPS)

If you are experiencing grief from losing loved ones to drug toxicity, please know you are not alone. If you need to talk to someone, please call the crisis line at Klinic: 204-786-8686 or toll free 1-888-322-3019

12/12/2025

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12/11/2025

12/03/2025

Drug Alert: Winnipeg, Tue. December 2, 2025

Substance sold as BROWN DOWN has continued to cause drug poisonings requiring multiple doses of naloxone.

One community organization has responded to 4-8 overdoses per day, including one death.

Get printable handbills and a poster at our website (link in bio)
http://www.safersites.ca/20251202winnipeg

Facebook is starting to censor our drug alerts! Visit https://www.safersites.ca/join to receive drug alerts in your email inbox.

If you are using substances, please:
* Use with a friend and stagger your use
* Start low and go slow
* Have and know how to use naloxone

If you are using alone, consider calling a friend or the NORS line at 1-888-688-NORS so they can spot you.

Get your drugs checked:
Nine Circles, Tu/W/Th, 10am-4pm, parking lot door of 705 Broadway Ave
Street Connections, M/W/F, 8:30am-3:30pm, 496 Hargrave St
— Anonymous fee-based mail-in service
NOTE: FTIR testing is temporarily not available at the Mobile Overdose Prevention Site (MOPS)

If you are experiencing grief from losing loved ones to drug toxicity, please know you are not alone. If you need to talk to someone, please call the crisis line at Klinic: 204-786-8686 or toll free 1-888-322-3019

09/26/2025

2 Spirits in Motion Society is looking for Matriarchs to join our Matriarch Council!

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/BFRfCvssPFNGLr5t7

We welcome those 18+ who carry roles as Caregivers, Protectors, Advocates, Mothers, Kokums, Aunties, Trans Women, Non-Binary members, and other matriarchal identities including chosen family and non-biological caregivers.

Applicants will be asked to provide a supporting letter from a community member (Elder, knowledge keeper, community leader, etc.) and proof of Indigenous ancestry. Proof may look different for each person and can include a Status, Citizen or Métis Nation card, or a letter from a recognized Indigenous organization, band, or council.

We encourage our relatives to apply as we honour these roles and the leadership they carry. Thank you!

07/04/2025

NOTICE FIRE EVACUEES if you have been relocated due to the wild fires it's important that you register with the Red Cross at https://ow.ly/368R50W5Gge or call 1-800-863-6582. For updates and health information visit https://ow.ly/o8sk50W5Ggi

07/04/2025

Unverified , June 30, 2025: Co***ne suspected to contain Fentanyl.

We have received a report from a community partner of unexpected reactions to co***ne that tested positive for fentanyl in the Sydney, Cape Breton area in Nova Scotia.

Drugs from the unregulated supply (“street” supply) are unpredictable – you don’t know what is in them and you don’t know how strong they are.

How to Stay Safe: Let someone know, start low, and go slow

✔ Let someone know – 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.
✔ Start with a very small amount – These drugs are stronger than what people may expect or be used to.
✔ Have naloxone ready – Naloxone can help with opioid overdoses, but it will NOT work on benzodiazepines or tranquilizers. Even if you're unsure what substance caused an overdose, always give naloxone—it won’t harm the person, but it may help if opioids are involved.
✔ Call 911 immediately for any overdose – Even if naloxone is used, emergency help is still needed.
✔ Check your drugs – Pills that look like real medicine could be fake and contain deadly drugs. Always assume street drugs are risky.
✔ Avoid mixing drugs – Combining opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol greatly increases the risk of overdose and death.
✔ Go to an overdose prevention site – If available in your area, these sites provide a safe space with medical staff who can help in case of an emergency.
Where to Get Help:

🏥 Overdose Prevention Sites (Supervised places where people can use drugs safely and get help if needed):
• ReFIX Halifax: 2151 Gottingen St. (902-209-9370)
• PeerSix Sydney: 75 Prince St. (902-567-1766)

🆘 If someone overdoses:
• Call 911 immediately – Tell them someone is unresponsive.
• 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 – give it anyway.
• Stay with them and make sure they can breathe.
• If they stop breathing, perform rescue breaths until help arrives.

⚠️ If benzodiazepines or tranquilizers are involved, naloxone will NOT work (but will not cause harm if used) — emergency medical care is needed.

Get Free Naloxone Kits: You can get naloxone for free at most pharmacies and harm reduction programs.

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.

📝 Submit a drug alert: If you come across suspicious drugs or someone has a bad reaction, you can report it to NSDrugAlert@nshealth.ca.

07/04/2025