Saskatoon paramedics administered Narcan at record rates in 2023

Paramedics in Saskatoon set a record for administering Narcan in 2023.

Narcan, also called naloxone, is a nasal spray administered to counteract the effects of an overdose of opiates like fentanyl.

According to Medavie Health Services West, Saskatoon paramedics administered Narcan 744 times last year, a big jump from the 635 administrations in 2022. Some patients received more than one dose, so the ambulance service noted the number of patients would be lower.

Troy Davies, Medavie’s director of public affairs, said paramedics have seen a steady rise in the number of calls requiring Narcan since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.

“Mental health and addictions is the No. 1 issue in cities across Canada and as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, this is something we will continue to deal with,” Davies said in a statement.

While the figure for 2023 set a record, Davies said it “could have been much higher” if not for the easy access to Narcan kits in Saskatchewan — which includes an exchange program operated by paramedics — along with the city’s overdose outreach program and the high number of people who have been trained to administer Narcan.

“On several occasions each month we are responding to calls for patients who have overdosed and already received Narcan from a friend or spouse prior to our arrival,” Davies noted.

While several police agencies warned of “naloxone-resistant fentanyl” making the rounds in the province last month, experts have disputed that claim, saying there is no such thing as opioids that are resistant to naloxone.

“It’s important for people to understand (that) in the event of an overdose, seconds matter,” Elaine Hyshka, an associate professor at the University of Alberta’s school of public health, explained in a previous interview.

“And you shouldn’t question whether naloxone will potentially be effective or not. You need to administer naloxone and do it right away.”

Saskatchewan may have set another record for drug overdose deaths in 2023, with 291 deaths confirmed and another 193 suspected. If the suspected deaths are confirmed to be drug overdoses, the total for 2023 would be 484, topping the record of 404 deaths set in 2021.