As of 2024, the overdose rates in Saskatchewan have decreased compared to the previous year, with 233 confirmed and suspected overdose deaths reported so far. In 2023, there were 462 overdose deaths according to the Saskatchewan Coroners Service. The province is now monitoring and reporting on benzodiazepines, a class of medications that slow down activity in the brain and nervous system. Despite this monitoring, the current data shows zero deaths related to benzodiazepines. The Newo Yotina Friendship Centre has reported an increase in benzodiazepines being mixed with fentanyl and opioids during the summer months, with approximately 90 percent of fentanyl samples testing positive for benzodiazepines.
Emile Gariepy from the Newo Yotina Friendship Centre stated that while benzos are not as lethal as fentanyl, they can still be risky as they make naloxone less effective. Multiple doses of naloxone may be required when individuals have consumed drugs containing benzodiazepine or xylazine. The federal government recently announced the emergency treatment fund, a $150 million initiative aimed at assisting municipalities, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities in addressing the opioid crisis. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Ya’ara Saks, stated that the fund will provide support for a range of projects and services to respond to the urgent situation faced on the ground.
Saskatchewan is taking steps to combat the opioid crisis and has been offering take-home drug testing kits since 2021. These kits can be obtained at 30 different pharmacies across the province. The provincial government, along with various organizations, is working to provide resources and support to communities in dealing with the challenges posed by opioid overdoses. The monitoring and reporting of benzodiazepines by the Saskatchewan Coroners Service aims to provide more detailed information to the public regarding overdoses in the community.
The Saskatchewan Coroners Service has been proactive in monitoring and reporting on benzodiazepines, a critical step in understanding the impact of these medications on overdose deaths. By providing more detailed data to the public, individuals can be better informed about the substances involved in overdoses in their community. The Newo Yotina Friendship Centre’s findings of benzodiazepines being mixed with fentanyl and opioids highlight the need for greater awareness and education around the dangers of mixing substances. The federal government’s emergency treatment fund and initiatives like take-home drug testing kits in Saskatchewan demonstrate a coordinated effort to address the opioid crisis on a national and provincial level.
Moving forward, continued monitoring and reporting on benzodiazepines, along with increased access to resources and support services, will be essential in reducing overdose deaths and addressing the opioid crisis. By working collaboratively with various stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and healthcare providers, communities can develop comprehensive strategies to prevent overdoses and provide timely intervention to those in need. The efforts being made in Saskatchewan and at the federal level demonstrate a commitment to addressing the opioid crisis and supporting those affected by substance use disorders.
