So, just so everyone in N.S. knows b/c this information hasn't been released publicly by way of a provincial press release.

There were 96 overdose deaths (confirmed/probable acute drug toxicity) between Jan-November 2020. That # is up from 2019/doesn't include Dec.

Here is some more information from a detailed and concise monthly drug report that isn't available to the public...

The number of (confirmed and probable) deaths due to nonpharmaceutical opioids is higher in 2020 than 2019; all nine nonpharmaceutical opioid deaths in 2020 involved fentanyl. This is concerning if this is a signal of a continued shift in the illicit market.

CENTRAL ZONE
We received a report from a community partner that a substance being sold in the Halifax Municipality area as cocaine may have been contaminated with an unknown opioid.

Drug policy advocates say this information could save lives. The province says this information isn't share publicly because of privacy concerns.

More info from report regarding MDA/MDMA.

There are also notable findings among non opioid nonpharmaceutical drug deaths. There have been 4 (confirmed and probable) acute toxicity deaths involving MDA to date in 2020.

FYI - all the standard harm reduction policies apply to this information.

Don't use alone, carry Naloxone, low and slow. Really, drug policy advocates say it comes down to keeping the community as safe as possible and knowledge sharing is part of that picture.