Report: Saskatchewan on pace for around 450 opioid-related deaths in 2022

By Jaryn Vecchio

Saskatchewan is on pace to set a new record for opioid-related deaths in a calendar year.

According to the Saskatchewan Coroners Service drug toxicity deaths report, there have been 74 confirmed fatal overdoses and another 189 suspected deaths through the first seven months of the year.

That puts the province on pace for 450 deaths over the year, which would easily beat last year’s record of 390 confirmed and suspected overdoses.

Unsurprisingly, Saskatoon and Regina have seen over half of this year’s confirmed deaths.

The only other communities which have experienced more than one confirmed overdose are Lloydminster, North Battleford, and Prince Albert.

Lloydminster has had four so far this year, which puts the city on pace to eclipse last year’s total of six but fall short of 2020’s total of nine.

North Battleford has already seen three deaths, which has already surpassed last year’s total and matched 2020’s total.

Prince Albert has had two confirmed overdoses. The community has seen the third-most deaths in each of the past two years — with 14 and 11, respectively — but it is on pace to have between three and four throughout 2022.

Other communities that have experienced one confirmed overdose through the first seven months include Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, Humboldt, La Loche, Meadow Lake and Rosthern.

Places like Melfort, Nipawin, La Ronge, Hudson Bay, Red Pheasant First Nation, Muskoday First Nation, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, and Little Red First Nation haven’t had a confirmed overdose.

These numbers can change quickly as the report does not specify where the 189 suspected deaths currently being investigated happened.