Top Results For: Saskatoon overdose

The closure of Saskatoon's only supervised drug consumption site seems to be having spillover effects in the city, including at one of its emergency rooms.

A drug overdose alert is in effect for Saskatoon after 150 calls were made in the first 12 days of April, as officials of a higher risk of overdose for the city.

Jay Protz, president of IAFF Saskatoon Firefighters Local 80, says his members are noticing an unprecedented increase in calls for service over the past few weeks

Prairie Harm Reduction says it has also supported 22 per cent more people over the past year and successfully performed more than 150 interventions.

A Saskatoon Fire Department battalion chief fears tackling more toxic drugs entering what was the peak time from last year, when a deadly drug supply pushed overdoses above 30. 

As Saskatchewan policymakers tout their recovery-focused approach to dealing with the addictions crisis, a public health expert says the province needs to adopt holistic policies.

Prairie Harm Reduction in Saskatoon closed its doors last week after reporting a major financial shortfall, leaving big gaps in the support services that ran through the facility.

Social service organizations in Saskatoon say they are concerned about the uptick in demand following the closure of the city's only supervised consumption site.

Prairie Harm Reduction said its investigation into the shortfall has just begun, but added it does not believe there is evidence of fraud, theft or personal misuse of funds.

Saskatchewan's social services minister says he's scheduling a meeting at Saskatoon's downtown library following complaints of violence and social disorder. 

The Canadian Union of Public Employees said two libraries temporarily closed last year due to heightened drug use and violence nearby.

A Saskatoon woman has used naloxone kits multiple times to stop overdoses. Some experts say the kits are significantly helping decrease fatality in overdose cases.

As fatalities drop due to training and awareness around naloxone, new drugs cut with sedatives like benzos are making it less effective.

Saskatoon is reporting an uptick in homeless encampments this year with advocates pushing for better solutions instead of clearing them.

The City of Saskatoon has been dealing with numerous drug overdoses this year. Another recent spike in the area — 84 cases since Aug. 17 — has organizations sounding the alarm.

"The sirens were endless," one harm-reduction expert said.

Saskatchewan's Health Ministry has issued overdose alerts for both Regina and Saskatoon after first responders saw a high number of overdoses and dangerous drugs in the last week.

After a brief reprieve, overdose numbers are hitting record levels again in Saskatoon. In the span of three days, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to 30 overdose calls.

As Saskatoon still grapples with an overdose crisis, Saskatchewan universities are making sure staff and students have the help they need.

Under the new rules, activities such as public intoxication and drug use will now automatically be considered trespassing in public spaces or businesses.