A public warning has been issued by the Saskatchewan RCMP after the discovery of a dangerous strain of fentanyl that has been found circulating in the south of the province, including Moose Jaw.
This dangerous strain of fentanyl appears the same as other strains of the drug currently in circulation. The difference is that the new strain may be resistant to naloxone, which is a fast-acting drug used to treat the drug effects of opioid overdoses.
Information on the drug has been determined by the Saskatchewan RMCP's Crime Reduction Team and the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team.
The Saskatchewan RCMP has confirmed that a number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses have occurred in the region during the past few months, but it is unknown how many overdoses have been caused by this new strain.
It should be noted that police don't respond to every overdose that occurs in any given area. The only way to confirm a death has been the result of an overdose is to confirm this with the Saskatchewan Coroners Service.
“The source and composition of this potentially lethal drug is under active investigation, but it was important for us to immediately alert the public of the danger present in our communities. This fentanyl strain is particularly alarming because it doesn’t look any different than others circulating. But if you take it and experience an overdose, it may be irreversible,” said Insp. Jeff Smoliak with Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team.
“Using illicit drugs is always dangerous, but there is extra risk for fentanyl users in southern Saskatchewan right now. If you or someone you love uses fentanyl, you need to know what to do in the case of an overdose," he said.
The RCMP has issued the following advice:
- Have a safe plan in place. Tell someone you trust about your plan to use drugs and don't use alone.
- Know the signs of someone experiencing an overdose: slow, weak, or no breathing; blue lips or fingernails; dizziness and confusion; an inability to be woken up; choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds; drowsiness or difficulty staying awake.
- Know what to do when an overdose occurs. An overdose is a medical emergency and if witnessed, call 911 immediately.
- Use naloxone. Even with naloxone-resistant fentanyl in circulation, the recommendation is still to administer naloxone to someone experiencing an overdose.
- You have some legal protection if you call for help. Outlined in the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, individuals who seek emergency assistance during an overdose are provided some legal protection, and this includes the user.
- There is help available. If you want to quit using drugs, there are services available to support you. You can access these services by visiting Saskatchewan.ca/addictions, or by calling the Healthline 811.
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