SASKATOON—The Saskatchewan Health Authority remains convinced in the ability of naloxone to help in temporarily reversing the effects of overdoses from dangerous drugs like fentanyl, even while there is a more potent mix that has been circulating in the city, resulting in nine recent fatalities.
The fentanyl crisis forced Premier Scott Moe to activate the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre on March 12 to help Saskatoon deal with the ongoing drug crisis, where additional resources are available to local agencies and organizations during emergencies. PEOC has elevated Saskatoon’s overdose crisis to Level 4. PEOC has five operational levels, with Level 5 for routine operations, while Level 1 requires a national or international response.
Medavie Health Services Chief and General Manager Kyle Sereda, who joined Health Ministry Assistant Deputy Minister James Turner, SHA Executive Director Zoe Teed-McKay and Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and President and Fire Commissioner Marlo Pritchard in a media conference on Tuesday, March 25, at the Saskatoon City Hall Media Room, said naloxone remains effective in overdose cases.
“While every patient responds differently depending on dosing and individual metabolism of the drug, naloxone is effective. Sometimes, it may require additional dosing, depending on the amount received or ingested and what it's mixed with. So, it is effective, but it can take some additional time, depending on each individual's circumstance. I think naloxone was the most significant investment and probably the most considerable supply going on into the community, and that's been the most tangible thing early on,” said Sereda.
Turner added that they are working through the PEOC structure to identify requests from organizations about their needs, including naloxone supply, and commended the SFD in adding four paramedics to expand their overdose outreach team.
“Those are all tangible things done in the community to enhance support. We are reviewing the request from Prairie Harm Reduction regarding the necessary steps to reinitiate the services we already fund with them in the city. These considerations are being addressed through the PEOC structure,” said Turner.
Teed-McKay said that the SHA is working with community partners on a coordinated and streamlined response, focusing on ensuring, with the Ministry of Health's support, that there are adequate naloxone supplies for community organizations and access to testing strips.
“This includes ensuring naloxone access through the weekends as supplies demand and we're also working to ensure we can meet the demand for addiction support services to those post overdose as well and with the Ministry's (support also preparing for the arrival of a nasal naloxone order to support those as well,” said Teed-McKay.
“One of the things just to mention related to our teams we're seeing increased demand for support services primarily through our rapid access to addictions medicine clinic especially among young adults aged 18 to 21 as well as increased referrals to that team mentioned our overdose outreach team and you're seeking help after experiencing those overdoses and needing that naloxone access.”
The Saskatoon Fire Department has responded to 435 overdose incidents from March 1 to 18 and a year-to-date number of 741 against 291 in 2024. Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block, Saskatoon Emergency Operations Centre Officer Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Saskatoon Police Service Inspector Erin Coates, and SFD Fire Chief Doug Wegren and Deputy Chief Rob Hogan were also present at the media conference as part of the PEOC working group.
Pritchard said that Saskatoon experienced a sudden increase in fentanyl-related overdoses, with the SFD responding to an average of 19 calls per day, and that is only in the city, not including the other significant municipalities and areas in the province. He added that the numbers continue to rise, which adds strain to the first aid services and hospital emergency departments.
“This overdose crisis impacts all of the supporting agencies and members of the community of Saskatoon. The most recent report that we have received through the PEOC, and that's from the Saskatchewan Coroner's Office, is that nine deaths are suspected to be overdose-related since March 1 of 2025. I want to reiterate that this is preliminary data from the Coroner's Office. They're still awaiting toxicology and further reports to confirm the cause of death. So, that number could change,” said Pritchard.
Coates said there is a demand for fentanyl on the streets, while some users prefer cocaine that might have also been laced with fentanyl.
“The problem with buying an illicit drug is you never know what you're getting. Therefore, the safest option is to ensure it comes from a doctor's prescription and is obtained through a pharmacist — that's your best choice. There are lots of different things mixed with fentanyl and all the illicit drugs that get sold on the street. I can't specify what they are. I don't have any lab results in front of me, and there's just numerous chemicals that get mixed in,” Coates added.
