Overdose Prevention

Naloxone reverses the effects of an opioid overdose temporarily, restoring breathing in a few minutes and buying time for EMS to arrive. Saskatchewan residents who are at risk of an opioid overdose and/or might witness an opioid overdose, such as friends and family of people who use opioids, are eligible for free training and a free Take Home Naloxone kit. The training covers overdose prevention, recognition, and response, including how to administer naloxone. Naloxone does not reverse the effects of non-opioids, such as xylazine, which may be found in street drugs.

Learn more about the Take Home Naloxone program and where to get a kit and training

Drugs are checked using fentanyl and/or benzodiazepine test strips. To perform a test, the drug checker will take a tiny sample of the street drug being tested and dissolve it in water. The test strip is then dipped into the water and within a few minutes it will give the result. Coloured lines will appear on the strip indicating a positive result (one line) or negative result (two lines). 

The test has some important limitations:

• Fentanyl strips only test for fentanyl, and benzodiazepine strips only test for benzodiazepines within the sample provided.
• Although the sample may be negative, the tested drug may still be present in the remainder of the drug batch.
• Strips may occasionally report a negative result when the drug tested for, or an analogue, is present.

It is important that other precautions are taken, even if your drug checking result is negative.

Drug checking strips are now available for pick-up at locations provincewide:

*Please call first to find out hours of availability*

Other printable resources:

• Drug Testing - Pamphlet
• Fentanyl Testing Strips - Labels:
  • Individual
  • Multiple
• Benzodiazepine Testing Strips - Labels:
  • Individual
  • Multiple

Avoid mixing drugs or be cautious if you do mix drugs.

Mixing drugs with other drugs or with alcohol can increase the likelihood of an accidental overdose. Some drug combinations are more deadly than others.

A Provincial Drug Alert System has been established, allowing the Ministry of Health to issue alerts based on information provided from partner organizations such as the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, Regina and Saskatoon Fire Services and drug checking sites in Regina and Saskatoon.

Alerts are issued when partners report one or more of the following situations to the Ministry of Health:

• more than expected number of individuals seen by paramedic, or in hospital, with an overdose over a short period of time;
• multiple severe outcomes (ICU admissions, deaths) over a short period of time;
• multiple overdoses in persons who use or live in the same area or location or who report use of a common substance;
• overdoses that are difficult to reverse with naloxone; and
• concerning substances in circulation that have the potential to cause harm or death.

Signup information is available on the Drug Alerts webpage or text JOIN to 1-833-35-B-SAFE (352-7233).

If you think someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately. Naloxone is only a temporary solution and will not work on all overdoses. The person overdosing will need medical attention and every minute counts.

The federal Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act  provides legal protections for individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose or who witness an overdose.

Protect yourself from HIV, Hepatitis C and other infectious diseases: use new, clean needles each time you use drugs, and do not share supplies with other people.

• HealthLine 811 – Mental health and addictions service continues to be available, providing 24/7 crisis support, advice to help manage a caller's situation, information and connection to community resources.
• Mental Health resources – A wide range of services, supports, and education materials are available to assist people who are struggling with mental health and addiction issues in Saskatchewan.
• Addictions resources – Get information and services available in Saskatchewan to help you deal with alcohol and drug issues.
• Get tested - Testing is part of a comprehensive public health disease prevention strategy to reduce the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.
• Call the National Overdose Response Service – 1-888-688-NORS (6677). This toll-free 24-hour hotline aims to prevent deadly overdoses by connecting people who are alone and using drugs with peer volunteers who can call for help if it's needed.