Overdose crisis: Saskatoon Mayor says resources stretched

Saskatoon’s mayor admits firefighting resources have been stretched as her city deals with an unprecedented number of overdoses and deaths because of a bad batch of fentanyl making its way throughout the streets.

“They’re very tired. I am concerned about the types of pressures that our first responders are under without being able to get ahead of this crisis,” Block said when speaking to CKOM News on Thursday afternoon.

“Our first responders are working overtime right now and they have been for weeks,” she added.

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Since Feb. 25, Saskatoon fire crews have had to respond to over 300 overdose calls, as well as multiple suspicious deaths.

“The Saskatoon Fire Department has deployed another fire truck with a full battalion of four firefighters. There will be a captain and three firefighters – at least two of whom will be paramedics as well – so they have the ability to help to support the other frontline workers to ensure that we are not putting everyone in a situation where they are feeling that they can’t cope,” Block explained.

“It would be fair to say that it’s because of these overdose calls that this decision was made to enact another fire truck, but they are able to answer all calls,” Block added. “It’s just to make sure there’s capacity in the system.”

Because of the drug situation happening in Saskatoon right now, the Saskatchewan Government has had to open its Provincial Emergency Operations Centre – which will allow government ministries and organizations to help respond to all the overdose calls.

Block said the city is grateful for that extra help.

“This will be a huge help to us in terms of what those next steps are going to look like,” Block stated. “That’s why we are grateful to have all those partners at the table so that the experts are helping to inform the process.”

Block couldn’t add further details into what type of drugs specifically are flowing through the city, but she did say it’s not good.

“I just want to underscore for folks that feel like this is something that we’re now used to hearing. This is very different. This is a lethal batch of drugs that is extremely harmful,” Block explained.

“A reminder to everybody to please talk about this with your friends, your neighbours, your kids, to make sure that everyone’s aware that we are seeing something on the streets right now that is very dangerous.”

Fentanyl:

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.

On March 12, a news release from the Ministry of Health said the drug currently looks like brownish-red chucks.

The redish-brown fentanyl contains dangerous levels of the substance. Previous bathes were light pink or dark purple. (Ministry of Health/submitted)

The reddish-brown fentanyl contains dangerous levels of the substance. Previous batches were light pink or dark purple. (Ministry of Health)

PHR also said naloxone – a nasal spray administered to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose – is not always effective in cases where the drugs are with benzodiazepines, a non-opioid depressant.

Overdose cases:

Feb. 25 to 26: Saskatoon fire responded to 25 overdoses, in addition to at least five recorded by Prairie Harm Reduction.

Feb. 28 to March 1: Saskatoon fire responded to 23 overdoses

March 1 to 5: Saskatoon fire reported an average of 19 overdoses per day

March 5 to 6: Saskatoon fire reported 37 overdoses, starting at 7:00 a.m.

March 9 to 11: Saskatoon fire responded to 67 overdoses and one suspicious death.

March 10 to 12: Prairie Harm Reduction responded to 11 overdoses.

Please note these are not all the cases in the city.

Saskatoon Police Service:

The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) launched an investigation into the overdoses, according to Kelsie Fraser, communications manager with SPS on March 6.

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

Government of Saskatchewan:

On Wednesday, the provincial government said it has activated its Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) in order to enhance the response to the overdose crisis, working alongside the City of Saskatoon and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health and Saskatchewan Health Authority have already provided more naloxone kits to organizations in the city, the provincial government noted, and last month the province announced stronger penalties aiming to curb the production, transportation, sale and use of methamphetamine and fentanyl, which include fines up to $1 million in some cases.

In a statement from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, it said the new PEOC will be used to coordinate the response of provincial ministries, agencies, crown corporations, as well as the agencies within other levels of government.

It said in emergencies, municipalities are the first line of defense.

“The PEOC can elevate its operations when emergencies begin to escalate beyond the capacity of a local jurisdiction, or the emergency extends to a number of jurisdictions,” the statement read.

The PEOC will become “one voice” for multiple entities and help support communities by working together.

Some of the responsibilities of the PEOC according to the Sask. Public Safety Agency are:

Coordinate provincial response and recovery activities;
Support strategic operational level decisions and actions on the response;
Assign provincial critical resources;
Ensure accurate, consistent communications;
Create and distribute provincial situation reports; and,
Ensure provincial senior officials are apprised of provincial response activities.

A take-home naloxone kit. (650 CKOM)

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: