Drug alert issued for Saskatoon after 30 overdoses in 3 days
Dangerous drugs in circulation, Saskatchewan Ministry of Health says
The provincial Ministry of Health has issued an overdose alert for Saskatoon after the fire department responded to 30 overdoses over three days.
"Dangerous drugs are in the area, though exact substances are unknown," said the alert, which was issued late Monday afternoon.
It said the fire department responded to five overdoses on Friday, eight on Saturday and 17 on Sunday. Other agencies may have responded to even more overdoses, the alert said.
"Recent testing indicates multiple substances are circulating in the community," it said.
Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of opioids. People can access free training and a free take-home naloxone kit online or by calling HealthLine 811. The kits are also available from community partners and at emergency departments, and naloxone can be bought at pharmacies.
Prairie Harm Reduction, Saskatoon's only supervised consumption site and a centre for helping those living with addictions, also posted an overdose alert on its Facebook page.
"This is a serious reminder that overdoses are still happening in our city — frequently and quietly," the notice said. "This crisis isn't over. If you use substances: carry naloxone, don't use alone, let someone know to check in on you."
Prairie Harm Reduction closed for 11 days in March to give exhausted staff a break amid the ongoing surge of overdoses in the city.
Two library branches also closed temporarily in March over safety concerns stemming from the overdose crisis.