The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health issued an overdose alert for Saskatoon on Thursday after the fire department reported responding to 84 suspected overdose cases since Aug. 17.
Many of the cases required multiple doses of the overdose drug naloxone and hospitalization, the alert said.
The alert said that Prairie Harm Reduction detected carfentanil, a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more potent than fentanyl, in an Aug. 20 test, which may be linked to the increase in overdose cases and “multiple reported fatalities in the community.” Prairie Harm Reduction is an organization that provides addictions treatment and hosts the city’s only supervised consumption site.
In its alert, the Ministry of Health said that in one case, the dangerous drug variant looked like green and blue crystals.
The alert advised people to carry naloxone kits, and contained a reminder that the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects people who witness an overdose or seek emergency help during an overdose.
Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of opioids. People can access free training and a free take-home naloxone kit online or by calling HealthLine 811. The kits are also available from community partners and at emergency departments, and naloxone can be bought at pharmacies.
The Health Ministry’s alert will remain in effect until Sept. 4.
