Saskatoon sees 23 additional overdose cases in past 24 hours

Primary care paramedics with the Saskatoon Fire Department are equipped with naloxone, which can restore breathing to someone experiencing a fentanyl or opioid overdose. (Alex Pankratz/CTV Saskatoon)

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health has updated its overdose alert for Saskatoon, warning of a continued high risk of overdose and death due to contaminated drugs circulating in the area.

The initial alert was issued on Feb. 27 after 25 overdoses were reported in a 24-hour period. Since then, the Saskatoon Fire Department has responded to an additional 23 overdoses between Feb. 28 and March 1.

“Other agencies may have responded to additional overdoses in the area. It is not known if the newly reported overdoses are from these same substances, or a new batch of concern,” the ministry said in the updated alert Saturday afternoon.

The contaminated drugs are believed to be laced with fentanyl, benzodiazepines, and other unknown substances. They have been described as light pink or dark purple chunks and are being sold as fentanyl or other substances.

The ministry says naloxone was effective in some cases after multiple doses and medical attention was required. According to the ministry, benzo effects cannot be reversed by naloxone.

The initial alert was set to expire on March 5, but the Ministry of Health has extended it until March 8 at 11:59 p.m.