Alarm sounded after 2 Saskatoon deaths linked to fake Oxycontin

Watch above: Fake Oxycontin kills two Saskatoon residents, prompts police warning

SASKATOON – Samuel Shindelka is dealing with the death of two of his friends in Saskatoon and describes the past week as tragic.

Shindelka was a friend of Logan Jamieson, 20, and Spencer Smith, 25, who both died from counterfeit Oxycontin pills last week. Jamieson died on Sept.18 and Smith was found dead the following day.

“They were both high school friends of mine. They were both really funny humorous guys. They always had a way to brighten up your day,” said Shindelka.

Oxycontin is an opioid, used as a painkiller and known to be highly addictive. It is prescribed by doctors and pharmacists but also finds its way to the streets.

The counterfeit pill circulating on Saskatoon streets is a round convex shape, blue-green in colour with ‘80’ on one side and ‘CDN’ on the other.

Alyson Edwards, a spokesperson with Saskatoon Police Service, warns street drugs are not limited to that profile.

“If somebody is out there and they’re trying to steer clear of the Oxycontin we’ve described,” Edwards said, “and they come across another substance that they can purchase… it is still illegal and it is still unsafe.”

That’s the message Shindelka hopes will resonate. Shindelka says he and his buddies aren’t unlike many young adults in Saskatoon.

“In my group of friends there were people who dabbled with it (Oxycontin) but it was never one of the most prevalent drugs,” he said.

“There were people that used it and clearly it’s dangerous.”

Counterfeit Oxycontin circulated through Medicine Hat Alta. earlier this year and police in Calgary made a drug bust in spring worth $768,000.

Saskatoon police believe the counterfeit pills were not manufactured in the city. Where they came from is still unknown.

Edwards would not say how many seizures have been made but reported it’s been more than one.

Jamieson’s funeral will be held at Windsor Chapel at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Smith’s funeral is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, 606 Spadina Crescent West.

Friends are hosting a steak night on Sept. 29 at Dino’s Bar and Grill on Central Avenue. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $20 with proceeds going to family.