‘A shocking number:’ Suspected overdose deaths in January average more than one a day

Saskatchewan had 36 suspected overdose deaths in the month of January.

That’s according to the latest figures released by the Saskatchewan Coroners Service. The numbers come on the heels of a record-setting year in our province for overdose deaths.

In the entire calendar year of 2020, Saskatchewan had 379 total overdose deaths, with 172 confirmed and 207 suspected.

According to the latest report from the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, our province saw more than a death a day due to drug overdose in January.

36 suspected deaths in the month.

That's a pace of 430 + by years end. #Sask's record was set in 2020, with 379 (suspected/conf.)

— Brady Lang (@BradyLangSK) February 4, 2021

The figures for the first month of 2021 sit at more than a death a day. Medavie Health Services West’s director of public affairs, Troy Davies, said he doesn’t see the numbers plateauing anytime soon.

“That’s a shocking number. Anytime you see one death happen in any community, it’s something that everyone should take issue with,” he said Thursday morning.

“I can tell you that it’s no secret, since we had that lockdown last March (due to COVID-19), we’ve seen our overdose calls escalate monthly.

“And it’s not just opioid overdoses. People think it’s just street drugs and narcotics … Another overdose issue for us is alcohol, and alcohol is still a drug. We’re still seeing even seniors who are going through mass depression as well. It’s across the board, it’s all ages, it’s every neighbourhood. There’s no designating a certain spot. It’s something we are seeing, and it’s on the rise.”

Davies said Saskatoon’s stakeholders have spoken up on the issue at hand, which is a good first step in tackling the crisis. He added Saskatchewan’s work with naloxone has put the province in a better position.

“Moving forward, another big step (was) getting Narcan kits approved to be able to be used in Saskatchewan … It has made an impact,” he said.

Davies said conversations are ongoing through organizations such as the Saskatoon Tribal Council, the City of Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Police Service to work on the crisis.

“We’re not going to find the answer overnight, for sure. But again, reporting these numbers, getting and talking in conversations and ensuring that we can move forward is extremely important,” he stated.

One week ago Thursday, an overdose incident unfolded at Saskatoon’s Lighthouse campus. Seven people needed to be revived by people within the facility, along with Medavie paramedics who responded to the incident.

The Lighthouse’s Anna Pacik said the drugs on the streets continue to be bad, with fentanyl making its way across the city. Davies confirmed the drugs on the street at this time are more potent.

“A typical opioid overdose that we may have done three years ago when we give Narcan was typically through intervenous,” he said. “Now we’re seeing repetitive doses. For example, the Lighthouse call, they did have an extra dose of Narcan but those patients did require additional doses from our paramedics in order to save their lives.”

Davies added with the cold weather creeping in, along with the ongoing threat of COVID, it’s time to get proactive to ensure the safety of all residents impacted by the overdose crisis in Saskatchewan.