Harm reduction centre seeing consistent patient visits, increasing potency of drugs in Regina

The Regina Police Service says overdoses are increasing in Regina, but a local harm reduction centre says it hasn’t seen an increase in patients throughout the pandemic.

Troy Neiszner, the manager at RQHR Addictions Services, said the centre has seen a consistent number of patients — both new and returning — using its services since the start of COVID-19.

But while the centre hasn’t seen an increase in numbers, Neiszner said there does seem to be more danger for people who are using.

“It’s apparent that some of the drugs out there appear to be more potent and dangerous or some of the other drugs are being laced with opioids or fentanyl,” Neiszner said. “It’s causing real dangerous situations.”

The pandemic and self-isolation have also impacted patients visiting the centre.

“Addiction is isolating and can be lonely, so when you start having to isolate and not be around family, friends and your support, that can lead to people feeling even more anxious. And then, with increased anxiety, that can impact their use of substances,” Neiszner said.

Those concerns are why both RQHR Addictions Services and the Harm Reduction Methadone Clinic on Albert Street have remained open throughout the pandemic.

“We’re able to get people in and if they require services, they simply call and we’ll make sure they have the opportunity to speak with a counsellor if that’s what’s needed,” Neiszner explained.

“We try to meet the needs of wherever they’re at, depending on the service that they’re asking for.”

Neiszner said the centre wants to remain open and available to the people that need it. One-on-one counselling and over-the-phone consultations are some services the centre has been able to provide safely to clients.

“Just being able to meet with the counsellor is really a form of treatment,” he said.

In-person facilities are scheduled to reopen in the near future to small groups with social distancing and extra sanitization measures in place.

In a typical day, the harm reduction centre will see patients come through the doors for a variety of reasons. New patient assessments, meetings with physicians and counsellors, and medication prescriptions are just a few of the services offered by the centre, depending on the needs of the patient.

The centre also offers opportunities for individuals to meet with elders if they so prefer.

In light of the increase in overdoses in Regina, Neiszner said the centre recommends naloxone as a preferred treatment to help mitigate the risk while helping people stay off street drugs.

“We’ve been trying to really get naloxone kits out there in light of there being increased individuals overdosing,” Neiszner said.

“We even encourage, if people aren’t actively using but are around friends or family who use, it’s important for them to have training and knowledge as well because you never know when you may come across someone that’s in need.”

Neiszner said naloxone kits are available at the Harm Reduction Methadone Clinic, located at 1048 Albert St.

He said it is important to remember that addiction can happen to anyone.

“We see individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds, all different ethnicities,” Neiszner said. “Addiction can hit anyone at any time if individuals aren’t careful and don’t have some of the coping strategies in place and supports available.

“Addiction doesn’t discriminate, so we have individuals that … have gone in for surgeries and then ended up addicted and we have other individuals that have some of their needs not met and that have fallen into addiction and poverty.”