Sask. drug-related deaths declining in 2024 but reasons unclear, coroners service says
Saskatchewan, like many other provinces, has been grappling with a serious drug overdose issue. However, recent data suggests that there may be some improvement in the situation. According to the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, there has been a decrease in drug-related deaths compared to last year.
In the first 11 months of the year, the province recorded 334 confirmed or suspected drug-related deaths, which is a 24% decrease from the previous year. The majority of these deaths were linked to fentanyl or related opioids. Regina reported the highest number of confirmed deaths at 69, followed by Saskatoon with 53.
While the report does not provide a definitive reason for the decrease in deaths, Jason Knudsen, the outreach program manager with the Regina Street Team, believes that community efforts to look out for one another and practice safer drug consumption may have played a role in reducing the number of fatalities.
However, Meagan Jasper, a former addict turned advocate for safe drug use, expresses skepticism about the reported decrease in deaths. She emphasizes that drug use continues to claim lives in the province, with many of the victims being individuals who are not typically associated with substance abuse, such as parents and siblings. Jasper calls for greater awareness and destigmatization of drug use, drawing parallels with the harm reduction strategies employed in the context of alcohol consumption.
In 2023, Saskatchewan had one of the highest age-standardized mortality rates for accidental drug poisoning in the country. The majority of drug-related deaths nationwide were reported among males. Advocates at Prairie Harm Reduction (PHR) acknowledge the decrease in deaths but advocate for the establishment of more safe consumption sites to further prevent fatalities.
Miranda Deck, PHR’s engagement manager, highlights the importance of expanding services to offer education on harm reduction and facilitate access to treatment for those in need. Currently, PHR operates from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, but Deck hopes to see the service available round the clock to provide continuous support to individuals struggling with substance abuse.
Despite the decline in drug-related deaths, the statistics indicate that one person is still dying from an overdose every day in Saskatchewan. The road to addressing the drug overdose crisis in the province remains challenging, but ongoing efforts by community organizations and advocates offer hope for a safer and healthier future for all residents.
