Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer says throughout Canada, including in Saskatchewan, there has been a disturbing increase in overdose deaths.
Monday is International Overdose Awareness Day.
Dr. Saqib Shahab says their data is based on information from Chief Coroners in all the provinces and forensic lab testing. He says it is in part an issue that has been seen for the last two to three years.
“There’s ongoing contamination of illicit street drugs with more and more toxic synthetic opioids including fentanyl, and of course a disturbing trend where opioids are mixed with other substances such as long-acting sedatives,” Dr. Shahab said. “That can complicate the overdose by having not just opioids, but sedatives.”
Dr. Shahab was asked about a safe injection site; something Saskatoon will have in October. He pointed to the current efforts utilized to deal with addiction.
“Limiting supply, supporting individuals through harm reduction and agonist therapies, and also understanding the root causes,” Dr. Shahab said. “I think where trauma-informed care and interventions start in early-childhood actually I think are essential interventions that pay longer term dividends.”
Saskatchewan also has needle exchange programs. Prairie Harm Reduction did not receive funding in the June budget from the province.
He says the principles remain the same: never use when alone, never take a substance that you don’t know what’s in it and have a naloxone kit available.
{CJWW}
