Saskatoon Paramedics have experienced the largest number of overdose calls they have ever had in a single week. Medavie Health Services says it responded to 88 calls last week; double the average. Troy Davies, Director of Public Affairs says, these calls can be anything from crystal meth and heroin, to alcohol and marijuana. 20 of the patients last week required the administration of Narcan to wake them up. Davies says the numbers are alarming even though they anticipated a slight increase due to the COVID pandemic and the mental health effects it’s having.

It’s much the same story in Regina. Police there say they have been tracking a growing number of overdoses, some fatal, since the start of the year. Not all overdoses are reported to police or EMS but, they are aware of 233 cases since January 1st. There have been 11 confirmed drug-related deaths in that time in Regina and 11 unconfirmed.