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The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health has issued a warning about dangerous drugs in the Saskatoon area, which it says increases the risk of a deadly overdose.
The ministry said that fentanyl, xylazine and benzodiazepines (benzos) were found in a test sample of drugs sold as fentanyl that was tested at Prairie Harm Reduction. Saskatoon’s safe drug consumption site.
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According to Health Canada, xylazine is a non-opiate veterinary sedative and analgesic that is not approved for human use in Canada.
The ministry says the drugs look like green/brown flakes and anyone using the suspect drugs could experience severe sleepiness resulting in shallow breathing or death.
Evidence suggests that the substance was smoked, the ministry said, adding that Saskatoon Fire Department and Prairie Harm Reduction had both seen elevated numbers of overdoses in the previous weeks.
It warned that naloxone will counter the effects of fentanyl but will have no effect on xylazine or benzos.
Naloxone is used to treat opioid overdoses.
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:
- slow or no breathing
- gurgling
- gasping or snoring
- clammy and cool skin
- blue lips or nails
- difficulty waking up or staying awake
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction you can call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-6677. This toll-free, 24-hour hotline aims to prevent deadly overdoses by connecting people who are alone and using drugs with peer volunteers who can call for help if needed.
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