Alerts and Advisories
The Division of Substance Use and Harm Reduction (SUPHR) periodically releases alerts and advisories to communicate important drug use-related information. Alerts announce information of extreme importance that may require immediate action. Advisories and updates communicate relevant information that may not require immediate action but should be considered when making decisions. We have also created plain language community alerts detailing the most important information that should be widely shared.
Want to learn more? The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) manages a Health Information Portal, which houses broader health-related information for healthcare providers.
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2024
12/10 Alert: Hospitals and behavioral health providers are reporting severe and worsening presentations of withdrawal among people who use drugs (PWUD) in Philadelphia (See the community alert)
9/25 Alert: Hazardous industrial chemical (BTMPS) detected in Philadelphia’s drug supply (See the community alert)
5/13 Alert: In Philadelphia, medetomidine, a potent non-opioid veterinary sedative, has been detected in the illicit drug supply. (See the community alert)
3/14 Alert: Carfentanil and nitazene analogs in drug supply, present in fatal overdose cases (See the carfentanil and nitazene community alerts)
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2023
8/21 Alert: Benzodiazepine withdrawal
6/27 Update: Buprenorphine Prescription
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2022
12/21 Alert: Nitazene analogs, a novel class of synthetic opioids
12/8 Update: Xylazine (tranq) exposure among people who use substances in Philadelphia.
6/7 Advisory: Increase in New HIV Diagnoses among People who Inject Drugs
3/16 Alert: Risks of Xylazine Use and Withdrawal in People Who Use Drugs in Philadelphia