Regina saw 100 overdoses, and two overdose-related deaths, in the first 10 days of June, according to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.
In response to the increase, the ministry issued an overdose alert for the city. Regina’s overdose outreach team and fire service responded to 22 calls in one day on June 5, the alert said.
Get weekly health news
There is a high risk of overdose and death, the Health Ministry added.
It is unclear what the drug is being sold as, or what it looks like, but it was “possibly sold as methamphetamine in one instance,” according to the overdose alert.
- Lethbridge protesters rally as Alberta’s Bill 11 takes effect
- Nearly 400 physicians interested in joining dual practice system: Alberta government
- U of T nurse practitioner student looks to break barriers in new Scarborough program
- 3 people died from suspected overdoses on Saturday in Regina: health ministry
The ministry also does not know exactly what is in the substance, but said it may contain “unknown opioids, benzodiazepines, or methamphetamine.”
“Naloxone was effective in many instances,” the alert continued, cautioning that multiple doses of the opioid overdose-reversing drug may be necessary.
The Ministry of Health said its overdose alert will remain in effect until June 17.
Build more government injection sites it’ll encourage more people to become junkies
With only 2 deaths, the number of junkies in Regina will never really decrease.