SASKATOON — Saskatoon Police Service officers are now given orders to respond to every drug-related overdose call in light of the recent and alarming increase in cases in the city.
Health officials in Saskatchewan are warning the public of a heightened risk of overdose and death from illicit drugs in the Saskatoon area and that the numbers suggest an unusually potent and potential lethal substance is circulating in the area.
Data obtained by the Saskatchewan-NDP from Prairie Harm Reduction showed that there were 223 drug-related overdoses in almost two weeks.
The NDP, on Thursday, March 6, in a statement by Mental Health and Addictions Shadow Minister Betty Nippi-Albright, said they are calling on the provincial government to have an emergency plan to warn the public against using drugs and provide additional resources to support agencies tasked with caring for people addicted to illegal substances.
Kelsie Fraser, SPS Public Relations and Strategic Communications Manager, said their goal of ordering patrol officers to also respond to overdose cases is to gather information in identifying the source of illegal drugs, like fentanyl and meth and disrupt its distribution and illicit activities in the community.
“Obviously, with the numbers that we see recently, it is certainly a concern for many different organizations — ourselves, health, fire, EMO — which I think signifies the importance and the pressures of us wanting to get a handle on it and resolve it as best we can,” Fraser said in a media availability at SPS Headquarters Thursday.
“[Several] years ago, our officers were equipped with Naloxone. Every patrol officer does carry Naloxone, and there have been instances where they’ve used it. I’m not aware of that capacity in the recent number of them. We urge the public to consider equipping themselves with Naloxone. Ultimately, to prevent further harm in our community.”
She also suggests people should have Naloxone in their homes as part of the Good Samaritans Drug Overdose Act, which is a piece of legislation that provides legal protection for people who might be experiencing an overdose or someone who might have witnessed or suspected a person has consumed an illegal substance.
“They can get it from pharmacies or, I think, [at] Prairie Harm Reduction. It is a tool that people can use. We want people to know that that is an option because it takes the onus off the criminal element and makes it more of a medical want to ensure the person gets the help they need. That’s one aspect we want to remind the public of,” said Fraser.
“We are directing our officers to go there and investigate whenever possible to gather information that might be necessary for our investigation. It’s not so much about the endgame of what will happen to those people; that is certainly something we’re working toward, but we’re gathering information and intelligence.”
She said that though carrying Naloxone to administer to possible overdose victims when responding is not part of the police officers’ training, it is a change in practice that they have made to do their part of helping save a life if ever they arrive first on the scene before the paramedics or members of the Saskatoon Fire Department.
“Typically, when a call comes in that’s a medical call, it’s coded differently. There isn’t something that we code as like simply an overdose. We don’t always go if we have more pressing [issues], but if there are criminal elements, that would be where we’d go and leave the health calls to our community service partners, like Medi-V or Fire, to respond to,” said Fraser.
“[Drug] seizures will be made. It’s tough to say because there’s an ongoing investigation. So, our patrol bureau responds to calls and would respond to some drug-related calls. Then, we have our criminal investigations bureau with specialized investigative units. That would be how we’re augmenting resources for this particular situation.”
Fraser added the SPS is adjusting day-to-day how to distribute its resources to the city to help address the significant increase in cases of overdose. Aside from responding and assisting with reported incidents, the officer will observe and ask questions to gather intelligence as part of an investigation into getting illegal drugs off the streets.
She reminds the public that any medication not prescribed by a doctor or dispensed by a pharmacist poses a significant risk when consumed, with many of the illegal drugs that have been on the streets city-wide containing potentially fatal and life-threatening substances that can cause overdose, even if taken in small amounts.
“The safety and well-being of our community is the Saskatoon Police Service’s top priority, and we share the public’s alarm and concern over the rising number of recent overdoses. Our investigators are working diligently to gather intelligence, identify suspects, and conduct an investigation that keeps the public safe and can lead to successful prosecutions,” said Fraser.
“We’re collaborating with health agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders to address the situation through a balanced prevention, enforcement, and education approach. I would say it, like right now, is a significant concern. We have seen cases in, or you know, clusters in the past.”
She hopes the public will do its share in the fight against drugs and be inspired by reports from the local media, the emergency response by paramedics and Saskatoon firefighters, the health region’s programs to rehabilitate drug users, and the arrests being made by Saskatoon police.
“Knowing and understanding that something is being done about it, we encourage anybody with information about these incidents to contact police. They can call us at 306-975-8300. If somebody wants to remain anonymous, they can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. We would appreciate it if people have information that could help us move further along.”
Nippi-Albright sounds the alarm
Nippi-Albright, Saskatoon-Centre MLA, said it is devastating and heart-aching to know that 223 drug-related overdoses happened in Saskatoon in the last two weeks, and they are asking the public to spread the information about the harmful effects of illegal substances that are rampant on Saskatoon streets, which are killing people and causing others immense physical harm.
“I am working directly with agencies and local fire department officials to get the word out about these overdoses. We are burying our young people — our future leaders – when we could be taking action to get Saskatchewan healthcare out of last place and save lives,” said Nippi-Albright in a statement sent to local journalists.
Nippi-Albright criticized the Saskatchewan Party for not doing anything to prevent drug-related deaths. Instead, the government invested more than $1.5 million in a facility in Lumsden that has never operated properly and was proposing ridiculous treatment sessions over webcam, she said.
“Nearly a person per day died because of drug use in 2024. In light of this horrific drug crisis in Saskatoon, I am demanding an emergency plan from the government to warn the public against using drugs and to provide additional resources to support agencies tasked with caring for people. We need to lean on experts and proven treatment methods developed to give those at risk of a drug-related overdose or death every chance possible to get their lives back,” she said.
– with files from The Canadian Press