The Safe Works Access Program says safe use of drugs is key with two warnings of bad drugs in the province being issued recently.

One came from the Canadian Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use which warned of a possible harmful drug supply of crystal meth, fentanyl and heroin.

The second was from the RCMP in St Anthony warning of the presence of Nitazine, which they describe as a narcotic nearly 20 times more potent than fentanyl .

Emily Wadden, program manager with Safe Works Access Program St. John’s, says the warnings are concerning, but not surprising.

She says with the first warning, the drugs are not new to the province, but may be new to certain regions and taking people by surprise, while the second warning of a new synthetic opioid making its way to NL is concerning.

Wadden says safety is the top priority.

She suggests not using alone and starting with a little less drugs. Those who do not have immediate friends or family can contact the National Overdose Response System at 1-888-688-6677.