There are renewed worries about fentanyl, a drug that is 100 times more potent than morphine.
On Wednesday, the Regina Police Service (RPS) said there have been two deaths in recent weeks suspected to have been caused by a fentanyl overdose.
“We have two death investigations underway in conjunction with the Chief Coroner, one is from November 8th and another from November 17th,” Elizabeth Popowich, a Regain police spokesperson, said.
“Both of them are suspected to be drug overdose deaths.”
READ MORE: Regina police issue fentanyl warning after 2 recent overdose deaths
Toxicology tests have been ordered for both deceased however police say there is reason to believe the deaths were fentanyl-related.
“We’re taking about a drug that is so powerful and so potent and so dangerous that even a first-time use of this drug could result in a fatality.”
Just how deadly is it? Doses smaller than a snowflake can kill.
The drug is behind overdoses and deaths right across the country. In Saskatchewan, there were 22 fentanyl-related overdose deaths last year and two so far this year.
In an attempt to prevent more deaths, the province introduced Take-Home Naloxone kits in 2015. The life-saving drug reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
WATCH BELOW: New pilot project launched in Sask. for Take-Home Naloxone kits
After a big push from health advocates, Naloxone will now be available behind the counter at pharmacies – without a prescription.
“This is really new right now so pharmacies have only just gotten access to be able to order the kits,” Dawn Martin, CEO of the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan, said.
“We’re happy as a profession to be a part of this solution but it’s a bigger issue with a multi-pronged approach that needs to be taken as well.”
READ MORE: RCMP, China to work together to curb flow of fentanyl into Canada
On Thursday, RCMP announced it will work with China’s Ministry of Public Security to curb the flow of fentanyl into Canada.
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