Drug warning issued after two suspected overdose deaths on Onion Lake Cree Nation

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health has issued an overdose alert after a pair of deaths on the Onion Lake Cree Nation this month.

According to the ministry, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Onion Lake Emergency Medical Services reported “multiple overdoses and two suspected overdose deaths” between July 1 and Wednesday. Emergency medical treatment was required in several of the cases, the ministry said, with one patient requiring intensive care in an emergency room.

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Naloxone, a nasal spray that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose was administered “with varying results,” the ministry noted.

“These overdoses and fatalities indicate a higher risk of overdose and death from drugs in the area,” the provincial health ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said the drugs believed to be behind the recent rash of overdoses on the First Nation north of Lloydminster were a brownish colour, and may contain either fentanyl or other unknown opioids. The substance, which was sold as either fentanyl or “down,” was smoked in all of the overdose cases.

Drug users were reminded to get a take-home naloxone kit and to call the National Overdose Response Service if they are alone. Drug-checking supplies and services are also available, the ministry added.

The alert will remain in effect until July 16, the ministry said.