2021 provided a record year for drug overdoses in the Queen City. The Regina Police Service (RPS) reported 160 apparent deaths last year, making another increase. In 2018, Regina saw 31 overdose deaths, decreasing in 2019 to 21. In 2020, that number increased to 111. Regina Police Cheif Evan Bray said he expects the number of […]
Last year marked another increase in overdose deaths in Saskatchewan. According to the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, there were 225 confirmed overdose deaths with 239 suspected overdose deaths, bringing the total to 464. “These are tragic numbers, they are heartbreaking, and they are devasting for families, for communities across this province to see these sorts of […]
2021 saw another increase in overdose deaths in Saskatchewan. According to the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, 225 confirmed overdose deaths with 239 suspected overdose deaths, bringing the total to 464. That total marks the fifth consecutive year the province has seen an increase in overdose deaths. In 2020 there were 327 deaths, with 2019 seeing only […]
With 2021 all wrapped up, Regina Police Cheif Evan Bray looked back at the year that was. For Bray, COVID once again provided new challenges for the Regina Police Service (RPS), and though it wasn’t easy, he feels the RPS has done a good job handling COVID. “It’s has been tough on frontline personal, not […]
The Saskatchewan Medical Association has passed a resolution calling for provincial funding for 24-hour-a-day safe consumption sites. Saskatoon doctor Carla Holinaty called for the motion. She says safe consumption sites are needed all over the province and not just Regina and Saskatoon. “People don’t just use drugs in cities. People use drugs across the world […]
It has taken a while to get going, but an overdose prevention site is now running. The site, located in downtown Regina at the Newo Yotina Friendship Centre, started operations last week. Friendship Centre Director Michael Parker says they wanted to start with a “soft opening”. “We wanted to focus our attention on getting things […]
Regina continues to see overdose numbers skyrocket, as the city recorded four fatal overdoses over the span of three days last week. The city’s Newo Yotina Friendship Centre has been advocating for a safe consumption site, in an effort to curb the number of overdoses. Executive Director Michael Parker says the latest numbers show just […]
The NDP says more money needs to be invested into harm reduction strategies if the province ever hopes to curb its opioid crisis. NDP Mental Health and Addictions Critic Doyle Vermette says it’s disappointing to see the government ignore the cries of many. “The alarm bells are going off, and you have a government who […]
Regina’s overdose problem continues to grow. Numbers that will be presented at a Board of Police Commissioners meeting today (Tuesday) show there were 116 overdose events in January and another 176 in February. There have been 28 apparent overdose deaths this year already compared to four through the first two months of 2020. There were […]
With four suspected drug related deaths in Regina since February 14, the Saskatchewan Coroners Service is asking the public to increase its awareness of the dangers of illicit street drugs. Preliminary toxicology in these deaths indicates high levels of Xylazine in combination with fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl and methamphetamine. “This is a fatal combination” Chief Coroner […]
