Regina police issue fentanyl warning after 2 recent overdose deaths

A warning has been issued by Regina police after two recent deaths in the city that may be linked to fentanyl.

On Nov. 8, police found a deceased woman at a residence on Cameron Street. Then on Nov. 17, a deceased man was found at a residence on McCarthy Boulevard.

Police said at this time, the deaths are suspected to be drug overdoses that are possibly linked to fentanyl.

The police and the Office of the Chief Coroner are still investigating these deaths.

Police are reminding the public that two milligrams of fentanyl, about the size of four grains of salt, can kill an adult.

The short-term effects of fentanyl include drowsiness, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, difficulty breathing, euphoria, itching and sweating.

Signs of an overdose can include weak breathing, drowsiness, cold/clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, collapse and coma. Police said anyone who sees another person with these symptoms should call 911.

According to the Office of the Chief Coroner, there were 22 drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl in Saskatchewan in 2015. In 2016, there have been two deaths linked to fentanyl.

READ MORE: Saskatchewan has highest rates of opioid poisoning in Canada: report

“We traditionally have had a lot of opiate use in Regina in this area at our detox, however in the last two months we’ve seen a big increase in clients coming in withdrawing from fentanyl,” Sheila Moore, an addiction treatment psychiatric nurse with the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, said.

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Following a conference in Ottawa to discuss tackling the “public health crisis” of opioids and fentanyl, health officials are now working to develop a national strategy.

WATCH: Health Minister Jane Philpott and Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale announced Thursday the government will be hosting a conference to tackle the “public health crisis” of opiodis and fentanyl. Both ministers said the increasing amount of overdoses and deaths are a problem and will be taken “very seriously.”

3:00 Canadian government to take action against ‘public health crisis’ of opioid, fentanyl overdoses

Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab represented the province at the conference.

“It’s not efficient for each province to try to develop their own guideline,” Shahab said.

“All the professional organizations are saying we’ll work together to not only develop those guidelines based on the latest evidence but also implement them once they’re made available.”

READ MORE: Regina-area drug counsellor says more teens are using opioids

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health has the following measures in place to combat opioid issues.

• Reducing the risk of prescription drug misuse through the Prescription Review Program, the Pharmaceutical Information Program, The National Common Drug Review and the Drug Advisory Committee of Saskatchewan, The RxFiles, and Drug Plan Claim Adjudication Policies.
• Reducing the risks associated with injection drug use through Prevention and Risk Reduction programs, such as needle and syringe programs.
• Reducing the risk of opioid overdose deaths through the availability of Take Home Naloxone (THN) kits.
• Treating opioid dependence with Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Recovery (MMTR) programs.
• Providing a continuum of alcohol and drug services to individuals who use substances, as well as to their families.
• The development of educational materials for the public and health care/allied professionals regarding opioids and the treatment of opioid dependence.