REGINA -- Regina police responded to four people who died Monday morning after overdosing on what officers believe was fentanyl.
Police said in a news release Monday that officers were among first responders to the first three apparent overdose deaths, which took place over the span of under three hours.
One death occurred at 7:03 a.m. in the 1,000 block of Garnet Street where a 30-year-old man died.
Later in the morning, a 32-year-old man had died at 9:26 a.m. in the 1,000 block of Edgar Street. At 9:45 a.m., a 36-year-old man had died in the 800 block of Athol Street.
Police followed up Monday afternoon to say a fourth person, another man, had died of an apparent overdose in the 1200 block of Rae St.
“People are dying in our city from drug overdoses,” police said. “They’re not strangers; they are someone’s child, spouse, sibling, or parent. We can all play a role in preventing these needless fatal events.”
Police said the deaths aren’t connected and officers believe fentanyl was involved.
The Saskatchewan Coroners Service will determine the cause of the death for each person, police said.
In November, there have been 16 apparent overdose deaths in Regina. So far this year, there have been 94 apparent overdose deaths.
Police said anyone can be at risk of an overdose, adding that people should not use alone.
“If you are a drug user, or you know a drug user, get help,” police said. “Don’t let the addiction make the decisions and plans that can lead to a near-fatal or fatal overdose. Connect with health resources.”
Police said people should learn the signs of an opioid overdose, which include difficulty walking, talking or staying awake; blue lips or nails; pinpoint pupils; cold and clammy skin and dizziness or confusion.
Please said the public shouldn’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 in an overdose situation and encourage people to learn about the Good Samaritan Overdose Act, which protects people from possession charges if they are experiencing an overdose.
Naloxone kits are also available, which can prevent an overdose.
If anyone has information about people trafficking drugs in Regina, they can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.