SASKATOON — Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is warning residents that there continues to be a high risk of overdose and death from drugs in the Saskatoon region.
Carfentanil has been detected in brown chunks sold as fentanyl. Two overdoses from smoking this substance have been reported. Naloxone and medical intervention to assist with breathing was required.
Carfentanil is extremely toxic and multiple overdoses continue to be reported by Saskatoon Fire Department, with 39 new overdoses reported since Nov. 19.
Other agencies may be responding to additional overdoses, said Saskatchewan Health. Saskatoon Fire Department had reported 104 overdoses between Nov. 11 and Nov. 18. Numerous cases had required multiple doses of Narcan (naloxone), but it was not always effective.
Several patients had also required some form of resuscitation, for example CPR, and hospital intervention, said Saskatchewan Health. Two fatalities were reported on Nov. 17. A third fatality has now been reported.
