Prairie Harm Reduction (PHR) is urgently seeking help in dealing with Saskatoon’s overdose crisis, as the province has reported nine suspected overdose deaths, with a total of 49 suspected overdose deaths from January to February. The organization has highlighted the lack of government response and funding for evidence-based solutions like harm reduction services, safe consumption sites, drug testing, and a regulated drug supply. PHR announced their closure due to workers’ trauma, emphasizing the need for support from the government to prevent further loss of life.
Despite PHR’s request for support from the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC), they have yet to receive a response. PHR is calling for relief staff to assist their teams on the front lines as they continue to witness community members dying due to the overdose crisis. The Deputy health minister mentioned that they are reviewing the request from Prairie Harm to resume the services that are already funded, and the PEOC is working on providing support to municipal and emergency staff, distributing naloxone kits, and increasing resources for fire departments.
The focus on treatment for addictions in Saskatchewan has led to the province planning to add 500 detox beds, with 221 already in operation. However, changes in the distribution of harm reduction supplies, such as banning the distribution of pipes for smoking drugs, have been criticized by harm reduction workers who believe it could worsen overdoses and virus transmission. While treatment is part of the solution, PHR emphasizes the need for additional resources, including housing, access to mental health care, and community supports to address the root causes of the overdose crisis.
The PEOC has been working to coordinate government ministries and organizations in responding to the overdose crisis, providing support like advertising a drug alert system, distributing naloxone kits, and increasing resources for emergency services. PEOC president Marlo Pritchard stated that they are currently in a response phase and will focus on recovery once the situation is stabilized. The government of Saskatchewan is shifting its approach towards addictions by prioritizing treatment, but PHR and other organizations believe that more comprehensive supports are needed to address the underlying issues contributing to the overdose crisis.
Amidst rising drug use and safety concerns, the Saskatoon Public Library has closed two locations for the next month. As the number of overdose incidents continues to rise in Saskatoon, PHR and other organizations are calling on the government to take immediate action to prevent further loss of life. The lack of response and funding for evidence-based solutions like harm reduction services and safe consumption sites highlight the urgency of the situation and the need for a coordinated effort to address the overdose crisis in the province. PHR’s closure and the ongoing challenges faced by harm reduction workers underscore the critical need for government support and resources to prevent further overdose deaths in Saskatoon and across Saskatchewan.
