REGINA — Since the calendar has flipped to April, Regina has experienced approximately 170 overdose calls, with three suspected related deaths.
This has prompted the Ministry of Health to issue an overdose alert for Regina and the surrounding areas.
Emile Gariepy, harm reduction manager at Newo Yotina Friendship Centre, said the potency of fentanyl in the drug is causing these overdoses.
“We found that the fentanyl in the substance tested was higher than normal.”
Gariepy said normally a substance has between five and 15 per cent of fentanyl, but tests showed more than double the amount.
“In this batch, we’re seeing fentanyl levels ranging from 30 to 40 per cent, which is relatively high,” he said.
Even with high potency, Gariepy said there are other factors which could lead to an overdose.
“It really depends on your body weight, what you've eaten, and how much you're taking.”
Tests also found benzodiazepines, which have the same effect as fentanyl.
“These drug dealers are adding it for more weight to make more money or to prolong the effects of fentanyl.”
Unlike opioids, benzodiazepines cannot be reversed with naloxone.
Naloxone, sold under brand names such as Narcan, is commonly used to reverse opioid overdoses, often within minutes.
Gariepy said benzodiazepines increase the risk of death as individuals require oxygen.
The current overdose situation was described as concerning by Regina Police Service (RPS) Chief Lorilee Davies on Tuesday.
“[These] statistics around the number of calls and the number of deaths [are] obviously concerning for us.”
Davies said it’s too early to tell where these drugs could be coming from.
“Our drug owners and our investigative units that work in that space are really plugged in and trying to determine where drugs are coming from.”
To resolve this, Davies said it will take a collaborative approach from community partners.
Meanwhile, the overdose alert will remain in effect until May 4.
Gariepy said it’s hard to tell if high overdose calls will continue past that.
