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"All I've wanted since we won in 2020 was to be back here hoisting that cup again," said Justin Ball.
The Saskatchewan Health Ministry released another overdoes alert update in Saskatoon.
Between March 9 and March 11, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to 67 overdoses and one suspicious death.
Prairie Harm Reduction has tested a brownish-red substance with dangerous levels of fentanyl which is causing multiple overdoses.
According to the release from the ministry, the fentanyl is having unusual, delayed effects. It can cause sleepiness at first and then stop breathing.
With this particular fentanyl, it takes multiple doses (four to five) of naloxone to revive patients, oxygen and paramedic response has also been needed.
Prairie Harm Reduction is calling for donations of naloxone at this time.
The organization has responded to 11 overdoses from March 10 to March 12.
According to the ministry, the Saskatoon Fire Department, it has responded to over 300 overdoses since Feb. 25, including multiple suspicious deaths.
Dangerous drugs in the area
In a news release from the Ministry of Health, it said the drug currently looks like brownish-red chucks.
Previous test batches were light pink or dark purple chunks.
The redish-brown fentanyl contains dangerous levels of the substance. Previous bathes were light pink or dark purple. (Ministry of Health/submitted)
It is being sold as fentanyl and contains dangerous levels of the substance. Previous substances also contained benzodiazepines.
The side effects of benzodiazepines cannot be reversed by naloxone, but experts still recommend using naloxone to reverse the effects of any potential opioid in the person’s system.
What can I do if I see an overdose?
People can call or text the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-NORS (6677) if they are alone, and having a naloxone kit can also help.
Naloxone is used to treat overdoses for drugs like heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone and hydrocodone, but Praire Harm Reduction has said it has not been effective in all cases in the latest Saskatoon overdose spike because benzos are involved.
The Saskatchewan government provides free Naloxone kits and training on how to administer it to anyone at risk of an opioid overdose, as well as to anyone who might witness an overdose. The training also covers overdose prevention, recognition and response.
A list of places where the free kits are available can be found here. Emergency departments across the province also carry the kits, and they can be purchased at some pharmacies as well.”
Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act offers some legal protection and applies to anyone seeking emergency support during an overdose, including any person experiencing an overdose.
The Act protects the person who seeks help, whether they stay or leave from the overdose scene before help arrives. The Act also protects anyone else who is at the scene when help arrives.
Symptoms of an overdose may include but are not limited to:
- slow or no breathing
- gurgling
- gasping or snoring
- clammy and cool skin
- blue lips or nails
- difficulty waking up or staying awake