Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — Health authorities in Saskatchewan have issued an urgent warning about an unusually potent strain of fentanyl linked to a surge in overdoses and suspicious deaths in Saskatoon. From March 9 to March 11 alone, emergency responders, including the Saskatoon Fire Department, attended to 67 overdose incidents and one suspicious death potentially related to drug use.
Local nonprofit Prairie Harm Reduction has identified a brownish-red substance associated with these cases that contains hazardous levels of fentanyl. This specific variant of the drug has been found to have delayed, severe effects on users, initially causing drowsiness and subsequently leading to respiratory arrest.
The province’s health officials underscored the complexity of treating overdoses caused by this fentanyl type, noting that revival efforts often require multiple doses of naloxone, sometimes as many as four or five, alongside essential oxygen and medical support. Prairie Harm Reduction is urgently requesting donations of naloxone to combat this wave of overdoses.
From February 25 to the present, the Saskatoon Fire Department has responded to over 300 overdose emergencies, several of which involved fatalities that remain under investigation. The ongoing crisis is exacerbated by the drug’s new appearance—unlike previous light pink or dark purple substances, the current batch of the drug resembles brownish-red chunks and continues to be sold as fentanyl on the streets.
Besides fentanyl, some of the street drugs have also been laced with benzodiazepines, a class of drugs whose effects cannot be reversed by naloxone. Despite this, health experts stress that naloxone remains critical in reversing the impacts of any opioids present in the user’s system and could be life-saving.
The threat posed by these potent street drugs is profound, spurring the Saskatchewan government to offer free naloxone kits and training on their safe administration. These measures aim to equip individuals at risk of opioid overdose and bystanders with the necessary tools to prevent and respond to overdose situations effectively.
Moreover, the availability of these lifesaving kits has been expanded to include emergency departments throughout the province, with many pharmacies also stocking them for over-the-counter purchase. Community response and preparedness are crucial, as highlighted by Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act. The law offers legal protection to individuals seeking emergency services during an overdose, ensuring that people are not deterred from calling for help by fear of prosecution.
For anyone witnessing or experiencing an overdose, the symptoms to watch for include slow or absent breathing, noises such as gurgling, gasping or snoring, blue-tinted lips or nails, and cool, clammy skin. Immediate action can be the difference between life and death, and being equipped with a naloxone kit and having the readiness to use it is vital.
As the community grapples with this escalating public health issue, authorities continue to urge vigilance and preparedness among the public to mitigate the risk and prevent further tragedies.