P.A. allows drug amnesty after Saskatoon overdose scare

Prince Albert police are offering amnesty to people who drop off drugs to the station in the wake of Saskatoon’s recent fatal overdoses.

“If somebody has narcotics and they’re concerned about the source, they’re concerned about the safety, they can contact us and surrender the drugs, and we’ll take care of it properly, with no fear of prosecution,” Insp. Jason Stonechild said.

The move comes after two people died and four others were taken to hospital in Saskatoon after they consumed cocaine laced with fentanyl over the weekend. Police said they believed they had arrested the three men responsible for the distribution.

Stonechild noted Prince Albert’s drug amnesty isn’t intended to give those in the drug trade an out. He said suppliers who tried to bring in their stock would be prosecuted.

He said there is concern among police officers that fentanyl-laced drugs are making their way to the city, especially after the recent overdoses just one hour south.

“A lot of the drugs we observe in Prince Albert, we can track back to coming through Saskatoon,” Stonechild said.

“It’s very concerning to see (fentanyl) hit that community and it’s something we’re going to get in front of.”

The inspector also encouraged drug users to educate themselves about the protections offered under Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act.

“If somebody is out in the public and they observe a friend where they feel like they are overdosing, they should have the knowledge that they are safe from prosecution should they decide to call police for assistance,” Stonechild said.

Saskatoon police are also offering a limited amnesty program for users who are concerned their cocaine supplies may be laced with fentanyl.

—With files from paNOW’s Bryan Eneas.