Canada’s Chief Medical Health Officer addressed the increase in drug overdoses as the country continues to navigate COVID-19. Dr. Theresa Tam says Saskatchewan is reporting historic levels of overdoses and overdose deaths.

She says there are indications that the street drug supply is growing more unpredictable and toxic in some parts of the country and points out previous supply chains have been disrupted by travel restrictions and border measures. As well, Dr. Tam notes that public health measures designed to reduce the impact of COVID-19 may increase isolation, stress and anxiety as well as put a strain on the supports for persons who use drugs.

Dr. Tam also suggests supervised consumption sites help save lives and can serve as as pathway to treatment by connecting people to social services. In July AIDS Saskatoon changed its name to Prairie Harm Reduction, and with that announcement, unveiled October 1st as the opening date for Saskatchewan’s first Safe Consumption Site. The organization did not receive funding in the provincial budget and set up an online store to help pay for a scaled back consumption site which will be open fewer hours than originally intended.