Sask. addictions minister 'hopeful' government measures will lower overdose numbers

Saskatchewan's minister of addictions and mental health said he's 'hopeful' existing government initiatives can tackle the deadly overdose crisis in the province. 

There have been 211 confirmed fatal overdoses in 2021, according to data from the Saskatchewan Coroners Service. Another 195 suspected drug-related deaths are under investigation. 

Everett Hindley said he is counting on projects introduced this year making a difference in 2022. Saskatchewan put $458 million, or 7.5 per cent of the overall health budget, toward mental health and addictions. 

"A number of these initiatives that we funded in this budget year are just now getting off the ground," he said.

Tackling the drug problem

Hindley pointed to the launch and expansion of the drug checking strips program and the expansion of the take home Naloxone program. The strips check if certain fentanyl or benzos compounds are present in the portion of the drugs tested. And Naloxone is a medication that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, although it is not effective for counteracting a benzo overdose.

About 7,600 of the overdose-reversing kits were distributed this year, he said. 

"Those are some of the areas that we're just now getting out the door... it'll take some time to to review how effective those are." 

Hindley cited other measures, like the recent one-time funding boost for the Muskwa Lake Wellness Camp near Pinehouse Lake. The land-based program targets addiction and suicide in northern Sask. The government is also in the process of acquiring three spectrometers (more nuanced drug checking equipment) and harm reduction vending machines. 

When asked if he was confident these initiatives would bring the numbers down, Hindley said: "I'm hopeful." 

No commitment to supervised consumption

He said the government is focused on harm reduction, but wouldn't commit to supporting one measure championed by local harm reduction advocates: supervised consumption sites. 

Saskatoon's supervised consumption site (the first in the province) has requested funding from the province two years in a row. It's been rejected both times.

This year, people used drugs at the site more than 3,000 times. No one died. Many of the clients using the site are living in poverty or facing homelessness, so the site also connects people with supports. Jason Mercredi, executive director of Prairie Harm Reduction, plans to apply for provincial funding again for the site in the new year, so staff can focus more on programming and less on fundraising.

"We take a look at all those options and any proposal that comes across our way as part of the annual budget cycle," Hindley said, questioning whether sites like that would drop the numbers. 

"The information that I have is, a large number of these suspected overdoses that EMS respond to occur in a residence," he said. But Hindley said he didn't know if people would use a supervised consumption site instead of at home alone if they had the option.

"It'd be interesting to see if that would have an impact," he said. 

When asked about other harm reductions measures, like providing a safe (non-tainted) drug supply, Hindley said that could be something that comes under federal jurisdiction.

Hindley said he will be looking to Carolyn Bennett, the new federal minister for mental health and addictions, for "what sort of priority the federal government puts on this role as well." 

"It needs to be, you know, a multi-faceted approach in terms of collaborating with our partners and across the board, both in government and community based organizations and law enforcement and other groups out there."