How are the province, city, and community responding to unprecedented times?

Saskatoon is grappling with a serious overdose crisis, with frontline workers seeing an alarming spike in emergency calls related to drug toxicity. In just the first 24 hours of April, emergency services responded to 21 suspected overdose incidents—more than double the daily average reported at the end of March.

From January 1 to March 31, the Saskatoon Fire Department reported 837 overdose-related calls, a sharp increase from the 324 calls reported during the same period last year. March alone saw 509 calls compared to just 115 in March 2024. In the first four weeks of March, 9 individuals died from suspected overdoses, and more deaths are expected to be confirmed when the provincial coroner releases updated data.

The issue is no longer limited to isolated bad batches. Harmful substances, commonly laced with fentanyl, now dominate the local market. Police are trying to trace the source of these drugs, but concerns about the growing threat continue to escalate.

In response to the growing crisis, the city’s emergency operations centre has been activated to coordinate efforts between departments and community organizations. Data collection has become a priority as city officials and health workers aim to understand patterns and develop effective strategies to mitigate the issue. However, a lack of comprehensive and coordinated data remains a challenge in shaping an effective response.

Saskatchewan is shifting its approach to addiction by placing greater emphasis on treatment. The province has committed to adding 500 detox beds, with 221 already in operation.

While treatment is acknowledged as a vital part of the solution, experts stress that it must be paired with adequate housing, mental health care and community support.

At the municipal level, Saskatoon city council has approved 256 affordable housing units in the last six months. Plans are also underway for a navigational hub that would connect individuals experiencing homelessness to various services. City officials emphasize that addressing the crisis requires not just studies but swift political action to ensure housing and supports are in place.

On March 12, the Provincial Emergencies Operation Centre (PEOC) was launched. Its purpose is to enhance the coordination between government ministries and organizations that respond to overdoses.

The PEOC said that so far they are providing support to municipal and emergency staff, advertising a drug alert system, distributing naloxone kits, increasing resources to the fire department and adding overdose outreach teams.

The crisis has also forced public institutions to close. On March 21, the Saskatoon Public Library temporarily closed two branches due to escalating safety concerns for staff. The Frances Morrison Central Library and the Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library are set to reopen on April 21.

Prairie Harm Reduction, a key non-profit community organization in the city’s harm reduction efforts, recently reopened on April 1 after an 11-day closure to give its exhausted staff time to rest. While its drop-in centre is now fully operational, the supervised consumption site is only open when a paramedic is available.

The organization plays a critical role in supporting those affected by the crisis, providing overdose response services, safe consumption spaces, real-time drug testing and immediate alerts about toxic substances circulating in the community. Staff report reviving multiple individuals daily, often with limited resources.

This year, the Ministry of Health allocated $340,000 to Prairie Harm Reduction for community outreach, education, and peer-support programs.  Despite its vital work, the supervised consumption site was not included in Saskatchewan’s latest provincial budget. Advocates within the organization stress that this level of funding does not match the severity of the crisis. They continue to call for expanded investments in harm reduction services, treatment accessibility, and a shift toward evidence-based public health policy.

Evidence from Canada and around the world shows that safe consumption sites not only save lives but also benefit the broader community. Safe consumption sites offer people a secure and hygienic place to use their drugs under the care of trained staff. 

As overdose deaths rise, the message from those on the ground remains clear: prevention is possible, but only with timely, compassionate, and well-funded action.

What can you do?

Consider getting trained in administering Naloxone. Naloxone is a fast-acting, safe medication that temporarily reverses the effects of opioid overdoses, such as those involving fentanyl, heroin, morphine or codeine. It is non-addictive, safe for all ages, and only works if opioids are present in the system. Keeping a naloxone kit on hand is recommended, especially for those at risk or who may witness an overdose.

Prairie Harm Reduction offers free naloxone training for individuals, businesses and community groups. Walk-in sessions are available Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and group training can be scheduled by contacting the organization directly.

Eligible Saskatchewan residents, including friends and family of people who use opioids, can receive free training and a take-home Naloxone kit through the Saskatchewan Health Authority and various partner organizations. Kits are also available at all emergency departments across the province. 

USask offers free Naloxone training sessions for students and staff, as well as offering free Naloxone kits throughout the school year so keep an eye out for those. USask’s Student Wellness Centre also provides access to a harm reduction counsellor who can offer support for substance-related concerns.