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Dangerous drugs are circulating in the Regina area, leading to three overdose deaths over the past week.
According to an updated overdose alert from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, firefighters in the Queen City are responding to a high number of suspected overdose calls, with 47 suspected overdose cases – including three deaths – reported between Nov. 28 and Thursday.
Read more:
- Drug overdose alert issued in Regina as three people die in last 24 hours
- Regina’s safe consumption site says recent overdose deaths are preventable
- Saskatoon overdose alert updated after additional death, carfentanil detected
“On December 4, Newo Yotina Friendship Centre tested a red/pink substance sold as fentanyl, which contained benzodiazepines and caused an overdose,” the ministry explained in a statement.
“Other substances may also be causing other overdoses and deaths.”
During the month of November, emergency workers attended more than 100 suspected overdose calls in the Queen City, the ministry said, with patients falling unconscious, going into cardiac arrest and in some cases dying.
Earlier in November, firefighters reported three suspected overdose deaths that were believed to be tied to illegal drugs sold as either fentanyl or gabapentin.
“Naoloxone had been administered multiple times but did not prevent these deaths,” the ministry noted. “Naloxone will counter the effects of opioids, but not other substances like methamphetamine and/or benzodiazepine.”
The alert will remain in effect until Dec. 11, the ministry said.
The ministry recommended that drug users get a take-home Naloxone kit and call the National Overdose Response Service if using alone. Drug checking supplies and services are also available to help reduce the risk of an overdose, though the ministry emphasized that the risks posed by taking illegal drugs cannot be fully eliminated.
