Montreal Public Health has issued a stark warning to residents about a dangerous new trend: counterfeit drugs designed to look like popular PEZ candies are circulating in the city. The alert, published on Friday, February 20, 2026, includes a photograph of a tablet imprinted with the letters "PEZ" that actually contains etizolam, a potent sedative not approved for medical use in Canada.
Public Health Officials Sound the Alarm
The concerning discovery was made public through an official warning on Montreal Public Health's website, complete with visual evidence of the deceptive tablets. These counterfeit substances pose a significant risk to public safety, particularly because their candy-like appearance could appeal to or accidentally be consumed by children and unsuspecting individuals.
The Dangers of Etizolam
Etizolam, the active substance found in these counterfeit tablets, is a thienodiazepine derivative with effects similar to benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium. It is not authorized for therapeutic use in Canada and carries serious health risks including respiratory depression, dependence, and potentially fatal overdose, especially when combined with other substances like alcohol or opioids.
"The resemblance to popular candy products is particularly alarming," stated a Montreal Public Health spokesperson. "These tablets could easily be mistaken for harmless sweets, creating a perfect storm for accidental ingestion, particularly among young people who might not recognize the danger."
Broader Implications for Drug Safety
This incident highlights the growing sophistication of counterfeit drug operations and the challenges they present to public health authorities. The PEZ-brand imitation represents a new level of deception in illicit drug manufacturing, designed to bypass both legal scrutiny and user caution through familiar, seemingly innocuous packaging.
Community Response and Safety Measures
Public health officials are urging Montreal residents to exercise extreme caution and to immediately report any suspicious substances to authorities. They emphasize that no legitimate medication would be packaged to resemble candy, and any such products should be treated as potentially dangerous.
Parents and caregivers are advised to discuss the dangers of unknown substances with children and teenagers, emphasizing that drugs can come in deceptive forms. Healthcare providers have been alerted to watch for symptoms of etizolam exposure, which can include extreme drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, and memory problems.
The circulation of these counterfeit PEZ-lookalike drugs in Montreal represents a significant public health concern that requires community-wide vigilance and prompt reporting to prevent potential tragedies.
