SASKATOON – Officials are sounding the alarm yet again after a string of suspected fentanyl-related overdoses in Saskatoon. MD Ambulance officials said they responded to three cases of respiratory arrests over the weekend.
All three happened over an 18-hour period.
The men are said to be in stable condition, with paramedics crediting bystanders for calling 911 immediately.
READ MORE: Fentanyl fact sheet: what it is and what it does
These overdoses come in the wake of at least five deaths this year related to the deadly street drug, a number believed to be significantly under-reported.
In 2014, there were 10 fentanyl-related deaths in the province, and 10 the year before that.
Why is fentanyl such a killer drug?
Experts say often times the user isn’t an experienced drug user and fentanyl is estimated to be 100 times more potent than morphine.
“I would fully expect more people will die from this, sadly,” said Dr. Peter Butt, who is with mental health and addiction services with the Saskatoon Health Region.
“Until they decided like the 60s or 70s where people realized speed killed and there was a drop-off in the use of that drug. Unfortunately, what we’re seeing now is both an up-tick in fentanyl and crystal meth and deaths associated with those.”
READ MORE: Global News reporter shares heartbreaking story about losing brother to fentanyl
According to Butt, more needs to be done in terms of prevention, access to treatment and policing.
Meaghan Craig contributed to this story
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