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Police in Regina are urging the public to call 911 if they suspect someone is experiencing a drug overdose.
The message comes after the police communication centre received more than 50 reports of potential overdoses in a 24-hour period beginning on Wednesday afternoon. The police force said many of the calls came in through the non-emergency line – 306-777-6500 – instead of 911, which can lead to “delays in getting EMS and medical assistance to those who may need it.”
Read more:
- Regina drug alert: 29 overdoses, three deaths in three days ring alarm bells
- Overdose calls to Saskatoon Fire Department nearly doubled in 2025
- ‘It’s striking’: Sask. child and youth advocate warns of toxic drugs putting kids at risk
Shannon Walter, who manages the Regina Police Service communications centre, said even suspected overdoses should be reported through 911 in order to ensure paramedics and other first responders can be dispatched as quickly as possible.
“If you are driving by and see someone who may be in distress, but are unable to stop, call 911,” Walter said in a statement.
“We are finding that because people aren’t sure, they are calling the non-emergent line.”
The police force emphasized that overdoses constitute a medical emergency, and said the public should not hesitate to dial 911 if they suspect a person is in medical distress.
The message from police comes just days after the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health issued an overdose alert for the Regina area.
According to the ministry, 29 overdoses and three deaths due to suspected overdoses were reported in the city between April 24 and April 26. From April to April 22, 140 overdose-related calls were recorded in the city, the ministry said, with a number of patients needing multiple doses of naloxone to revive them.
