The Regina Police Service continues to investigate a high number of drug overdoses occurring in the city.
Over the weekend, between Friday, February 14, 2020 and today, Tuesday, February 18, 2020, police records show 20 instances of reported overdoses. Of those 20, police attended 11 cases and administered Naloxone (or Narcan) three times.
Since January 1, 2020, police are aware of a total of 62 instances of drug overdoses in Regina. Of those, police attended 36 cases and administered Naloxone (or Narcan) 14 times.
56 of those 62 total overdoses have occurred between February 7, 2020 and today, February 18, 2020.
There have been two deaths, believed to be a result of drug overdose.
The Regina Police Service is urging the public to be aware of the threat posed by street drugs; in particular, fentanyl. Anyone who is an active user of illicit fentanyl or fentanyl analogs is in danger. Even if people are not making good choices for themselves, others around them should be aware of the higher-than-usual potential for drug overdose and have a safety plan.
We cannot overemphasize the importance of calling 911 in the event of a drug overdose. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects anyone who is experiencing, or anyone who is present when someone else is experiencing, a drug overdose from charges for possession of a controlled substance when they call 911 for help. More information about the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose act is available here.
People can also access Naloxone kits if they are concerned about experiencing or witnessing a drug overdose. More information on take-home Naloxone is available online at:
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/opioids#preventing-opioid-overdoses-take-home-naloxone
Police are also urging anyone who may have information about these incidents to contact the Regina Police Service at 306-777-6500 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
