ID 98037316 © Karen Foley | Dreamstime.com

By Cam Lee

Overdose statement

SHA, Ministry of Health issue statements after overdoses in Kelvington

Jan 24, 2025 | 9:58 AM

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has issued a statement following the overdoses in Kelvington this week.

Several people were treated by EMS personnel for what they believed were overdoses linked to crystal meth potentially laced with fentanyl. The patients experienced nausea, severe back pain, fever, anxiety, and later a drop in blood pressure. They were treated and later sent to a hospital in Saskatoon.

Kelvington Mobile Health Services issued a statement on their social media pages cautioning drug users about the possibly laced drugs. When asked about the overdose cases and the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s protocol during such situations, the SHA responded with the following:

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is committed to providing safe, accessible and high quality patient care to the people of Saskatchewan.

The Kelvington and Area Hospital has experienced an increase in overdose presentations this week. At no point was the Emergency Department over capacity. All patients seeking care received care in a timely manner based on the severity of their injuries.

Champions of sport

Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame inductees for Class of 2025 announced

21m ago

ALL FOR LOVE

At 91, Battleford woman digitally preserves Sask baseball history to honour late husband's legacy

2h ago

Road conditions sketchy

Travel not recommended in Melfort area as highway conditions worsen

4h ago

The SHA provides EMS services in the Kelvington area through a contract with Kelvington Mobile Health Services. The SHA does not issue provincial Drug Alerts, so cannot speak to the Facebook post by the contracted service provider regarding overdose calls.

The SHA is committed to providing appropriate supports to individuals battling substance use disorder, including long-term treatment to support recovery goals as well as immediate – and follow up – supports for overdose. Those supports include providing friends and family of individuals with the capability to recognize signs of overdose and react appropriately and immediately, from knowing where to get – and how to use – Naloxone kits to calling for help without fear of reprisal when needed.

The SHA recommends using the following resources to ensure people are well informed and can respond appropriately in their time of need.

· https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/accessing-health-care-services/mental-health-and-addictions-support-services/alcohol-and-drug-support/opioids

· https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/opioid-overdoses-what-to-do-fact-sheet.html

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health also responded to northeastNOW with the following:

The Ministry of Health was made aware of the post and is in contact with the SHA, which contracts Kelvington Mobile Health Services for EMS services.

Local front-line service providers sometimes use their social media accounts to communicate with local residents. This is one way of reaching area residents with information that is intended to help keep residents safe, similar to provincial Drug Alerts.

Drug alerts are intended to warn community members and front-line service providers when there is an elevated risk of overdose in a community. Front-line providers can also request a Drug Alert through the provincial program (Sask Drug Alerts) as a way to further share this critical information.

Saskatchewan residents can sign up for Sask Drug Alerts at saskatchewan.ca/drug-alerts. Overdose prevention information is also available at: saskatchewan.ca/overdose

–

Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com