Regina Police say they are investigating a pair of deaths, in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Coroners Service that have happened over the last 24 hours. While not confirming that the deaths are a result of a fatal drug overdose, police are not ruling it out at this time either.

Just before 9:30 on Friday night, police were called to a home on the 300 block of McCarthy Boulevard after receiving a report of an unresponsive man. Upon arrival, police and EMS found the man dead. There was no evidence at the scene suggesting criminal activity, but there was ample evidence of intravenous drug use.

On Saturday morning just after 2:45, police were called to the 3900 block of 2nd Avenue after getting a call that someone inside a home was overdosing on drugs. Upon arrival, a 37-year-old woman was found dead with several items found at the scene suggesting intravenous and other drug use.

In the wake of numerous non-fatal overdoses in our community, Regina police want the stress the danger about the consequences of illicit drug use. Anyone who is an active user of illicit fentanyl or fentanyl analogs is in danger. Even if people are not making good choices for themselves, others around them should be aware of the higher-than-usual potential for a drug overdose and have a safety plan.

Since January 1st, police are aware of 46 instances of drug overdoses. Of these, police attended 29 cases and deployed Naloxone (or Narcan) 12 times. Two of these overdoses have now resulted in fatalities.

(ckrm)