The Government of Saskatchewan providing access to fentanyl and benzodiazepine (benzo) test strips.  These strips can detect the presence of fentanyl and benzo in street drugs – substances that are linked to increased overdose deaths in Saskatchewan.
Fentanyl is 50-100 times more toxic than other opioids.  Of 73 confirmed opioid-related deaths in Saskatchewan this year, 48 involved fentanyl.  People who use drugs often do not know if fentanyl is present.

Test strips are available to clients accessing the overdose prevention services at Newo Yotina Friendship Centre in Regina and at Prairie Harm Reduction in Saskatoon.  At both locations, staff members have received training on the proper use of test strips.

A negative result on a test strip does not guarantee the substance is safe.  Test strips only check if fentanyl or benzo are present in the portion of the drugs tested.  They do not detect other drugs and do not tell you the amount of fentanyl or benzo present in the substance.

The Ministry of Health asks all those using street drugs to not use alone.  Go to an overdose prevention or supervised consumption site, use the buddy system or call the National Overdose Response Service (1-888-688-6677).  Naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdoses are available throughout the province. Visit www.saskatchewan.ca/opioids for more information.
In the event of an overdose, call 911.  Under the Good Samaritan Act, you will not be charged for possession of an illegal substance if you are calling for assistance during an overdose.