Regina residents reminded to call emergency line for suspected overdoses

Regina police are reminding the public to call 911 instead of the non-emergency line for drug overdose situations.

The Regina Police Service (RPS) is reminding residents to call 911 for suspected overdoses, not the non-emergency line.

In an update Thursday, RPS said communications officers received more than 50 reports of possible overdoses over the past 24 hours.

However, many of those calls were made to the non-emergency administration line, causing delays in getting medical help to those in need.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

“If you are driving by and see someone who may be in distress but are unable to stop, call 911,” said Shannon Walter, manager of the RPS communications centre. “We are finding that because people aren’t sure, they are calling the non-emergency line.”

Calls to 911 are directed to EMS, Regina Fire and Protective Services, or RPS.