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The high-risk overdose alert will continue in the Queen City after 29 overdoses, and three deaths from suspected overdoses in the city between April 24 and 26, according to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.
Earlier this month Regina Fire and Protective Services and Regina’s only safe consumption site, Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre, reported an elevated number of overdoses since April 1, with many requiring multiple doses of naloxone, which treats opioid overdoses.
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From April 1 to April 22, 140 overdose-related calls were recorded, the ministry said in an earlier statement, with a number of patients needing multiple doses of naloxone.
“Multiple calls have resulted in unconsciousness, and cardiac arrest, requiring CPR and advanced emergency medical treatment,” the ministry said.
In its April 27 alert, the ministry said several samples tested by the friendship centre were found to contain both fentanyl and benzodiazepines.
It warned there could be other unknown substances circulating throughout the city and that naloxone only counters the effects of opioids.
The latest overdose alert will expire on May 4.
The city of Saskatoon also issued an overdose alert earlier this month after the closure of the city’s only supervised consumption site.
In that alert, the Saskatoon Fire Department said it had responded to more than 150 overdose-related calls from April 1 to April 12.
Symptoms of an overdose can include slow or no breathing, gurgling, gasping, or snoring, clammy and cool skin, blue lips or nails and difficulty waking up or staying awake.
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 online. Emergency departments across the province also carry the kits, and they can be purchased at some pharmacies as well.
- 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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