Saskatoon police add to list of recent overdoses

Saskatoon police are renewing calls for caution after responding to nine overdose calls in the past nine days.

A media release from the weekend detailed five overdose calls that police responded to in a 30-hour period. Further investigation determined there had been four other overdoses dating back to Sept. 8.

Four of the overdoses involved fentanyl. Heroin was used in another call.

Supt. Dave Haye said unlike last year’s string of deadly overdoses that led to three men being charged, this isn’t a tainted batch of drugs.

“What we believed we had at that time was people using a drug that they thought was something else,” he said. “It’s a different kind of investigation.”

One person died in the recent overdoses. That investigation is being led by the office of the chief coroner until toxicology reports are completed. The rest of the investigations are being led by the major crimes section.

Police are unsure what drugs are involved in the other cases due to lack of witness and victim co-operation or because the scene was cleaned prior to officers’ arrival.

Haye says the drugs are being used in both powder and crystal forms and are not limited to one area of the city.

Emergency crews are worried about a recent trend in overdose calls when a victim shows apprehension towards treatment.

“People engage with emergency medical services, somebody administers Naloxone to them and then they’re feeling better,” Haye said. “Naloxone is a temporary treatment. You could get a Naloxone administration, wake up, feel good and then overdose again.

“We urge people, even if you’re feel better after you get Naloxone, still go to the hospital — that’s the only way you’re going to for sure save your life.”

That scenario happened to police twice on the weekend.

Haye added that nine overdose calls in less than a 10-day period is unusual for Saskatoon police.