Number of drug overdoses hits 208; another OD death, say Regina police

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Regina police are issuing another warning about dangerous street drugs in the city after responding to five apparent drug overdoses Friday, including one death believed to be caused by an overdose.

This comes as the city is experiencing a wave of overdoses. So far this year, the Regina Police Service (RPS) has reported 208 overdoses. The total number for 2019 was 82.

Of the 208 overdoses, police have attended 103 and administered Narcan on 24 occasions. There have been 11 confirmed fatalities due to overdoses, and nine unconfirmed fatalities.

Police are asking residents to be vigilant in reporting illegal drug use and potential overdoses.

The RPS also said that success in drug trafficking investigations is not enough to eliminate the problem of drug abuse and overdoses.

“Education, treatment, interventions, and supports are key elements in creating safe and healthy communities. Drug users and the people close to them are in a position to make change; the need to make change is especially urgent in the face of an increase in drug overdoses in our community,” said the RPS in a news release on Friday.