Saskatoon Fire responds to 37 overdoses in 24 hours

The Saskatchewan Health Ministry released another overdoes alert update in Saskatoon.

Since the last week of February, there has been a dangerous drug being sold in the bridge city.

“There is a higher risk of overdose and death from drugs in the City of Saskatoon,” read the alert.

Between March 5 to 6th starting at 7:00 a.m., Saskatoon Fire Department reported 37 overdoses.

“Several suspicious deaths have occurred in Saskatoon, these deaths may be connected to the overdoses,” said the alert.

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Saskatoon Police Service launch investigation

The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) has launched an investigation into the overdoses, according to Kelsie Fraser, communications manager with SPS.

“People are getting their drugs from somewhere,” Fraser said. “We would like to be able to identify and find out who that is.”

Kelsie Fraser with the Saskatoon Police Service said emergency responders are working as a team to crack down on the problem. (Will Mandzuk/650 CKOM)

Saskatoon police were unable to confirm how many individuals are behind the drug distribution.

As part of the investigation, more Saskatoon Police officers will be responding to calls about overdoses, and they will carry Naloxone.

“There have been instances where they’ve been able to use it,” Fraser said. “I’m not aware of what capacity in the recent number of (overdoses).”

When officers are called out to these overdoses they are there to gather information that could be useful towards the investigation.

Fraser said it has become a full team effort from all first responders in the city as they try to limit the spike in overdoses.

“As emergency responders in our community we have open lines of communication about everything,” she said. “I would say in this particular situation they are even more open.”

Other agencies may have responded to additional overdoses in the area. It is not known if the newly reported overdoses are from the same substances as previously reported, or a new batch of concern.

Testing provided by Prairie Harm Reduction on Feb. 26 said drugs sold as fentanyl or other drugs that are light pink chunks or dark purple chunks contain both fentanyl, benzos, and other unknown substances and pose a high risk of overdose.

Previously Fire responded to over 25 overdoses between Feb. 25 to 26 in addition to at least five recorded by Prairie Harm Reduction.

PHR tested samples during the first alert. After testing the light pink sample, a “dangerous” result came as it tested positive for fentanyl and benzodiazepines. “They’re both very addictive, but they are very dangerous when it comes to risk of overdose.” PHR added the dark purple sample tested for a higher dose of fentanyl.

Between Feb. 28 and March 1 Fire reported 23 overdoses and an average of 19 overdoses per day between March 1st to 5th.

What can I do if I see an overdose?

People can call or text the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-NORS (6677) if they are alone, and having a naloxone kit can also help.

Naloxone is used to treat overdoses for drugs like heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone and hydrocodone, but Praire Harm Reduction has said it has not been effective in all cases in the latest Saskatoon overdose spike because benzos are involved.

The Saskatchewan government provides free Naloxone kits and training on how to administer it to anyone at risk of an opioid overdose, as well as to anyone who might witness an overdose. The training also covers overdose prevention, recognition and response.

A list of places where the free kits are available can be found here. Emergency departments across the province also carry the kits, and they can be purchased at some pharmacies as well.”

Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act offers some legal protection and applies to anyone seeking emergency support during an overdose, including any person experiencing an overdose.

The Act protects the person who seeks help, whether they stay or leave from the overdose scene before help arrives. The Act also protects anyone else who is at the scene when help arrives.

Symptoms of an overdose may include but are not limited to: