Murray Wood: October is a special time on the prairies
Murray Wood is celebrating October, as we enjoy the last days of warm weather before the winter hits. In Saskatchewan, W...
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health issued an alert on Tuesday afternoon, warning the public about highly dangerous drugs with risk of paralysis and death potentially circulating in North Battleford and the surrounding area.
In a news release, the Saskatchewan Health Authority said it has “reported an incident of lost or stolen medication vials that were discarded as medical waste — which may contain unknown quantities of Fentanyl, Morphine, Midazolam, Rocuronium, Succinylcholine, Propofol, and Ketamine.”
Read more:
- Ministry of Health issues drug and overdose alert for Regina area
- Health ministry issues overdose risk for Saskatoon and area
- ‘This is not a warning’: 47 overdoses within three days, says NDP
The stolen medication appears to be a clear or milky white liquid.
According to the health authority, if anyone uses rocuronium and succinylcholine, it may result in the person not being able to breathe due to paralysis of respiratory muscles. If the symptoms are not managed immediately with “mechanical ventilation and airway support,” it could result in death.
Risks for consuming propofol or ketamine include slowed down heart rate, low blood pressure, loss of airway reflexes and loss of consciousness, the health authority noted.
Multiple doses of Naloxone may reverse the effects of fentanyl and morphine, but Naloxone will not reverse the effects of benzodiazepines or paralyzing agents, the health authority said in its statement.
This alert will remain in effect until Tuesday.
The ministry said some of the risks of illegal drug use “can be reduced, but not eliminated” by getting a take-home naloxone kit, calling the National Overdose Response Service if using drugs alone, taking advantage of drug-checking services and sharing the alert.
“The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose or who witness an overdose,” the health authority added.
In April, the Government of Saskatchewan introduced legislation that would classify fentanyl, methamphetamine and hypodermic needles as categories of “street weapons.”
The act was passed in the spring and came into force Aug. 1.
“The government recognizes that many items used as street weapons have legitimate, legal purposes. The legislation contains appropriate exemptions to ensure these items can continue to be used for their lawful purposes, such as medical treatment, food preparation and protection from wildlife threats,” the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice explained in a statement.
Read more:
- Ministry of Health issues drug and overdose alert for Regina area
- Health ministry issues overdose risk for Saskatoon and area
- ‘This is not a warning’: 47 overdoses within three days, says NDP
—with files from 980 CJME
