As Sask.'s opioid crisis continues, some are calling for more education for overdose prevention
Saskatchewan’s opioid crisis is on the rise again this year after an expected plateau in 2022.
“Unfortunately this year we’re up quite a bit, we’re suspecting about 186 deaths that was until the end of April, looks like 68 suspected deaths just in the city of Regina,” Chief Coroner Clive Weighill said.
In 2022, Weighill said there were 387 reported opioid deaths in Saskatchewan, Just four months into 2023 the province is already at close to 200.
This is why Ivy Kennedy is taking action.
She wants to let people know that the crisis is rampant, especially in Regina’s North Central community, which is why she is putting up billboards.
“That kind of education within the community, hopefully, will get something done and the signage is our number one and we want more up in North Central,” she said.
She has ordered two signs at this time, one for 4th Avenue and Albert Street and one by the North Central SARCAN in Regina.
She hopes they spark enough interest and conversation to educate, especially the youth in Regina and the rest of Saskatchewan.
“Like nobody is educating our children, so education is important. We don’t know how potent that fentanyl is, they don’t know how potent that fentanyl is, so we need to warn them and say, ‘this is what can kill you.’”
Kennedy lost two grandchildren and a nephew in the past two years to overdoses, unfortunately she is not alone.
Shay Scales lost her older brother and sister to overdose and attributes it to the lack of education and abundance of availability.
“Even in school I never learned about things like [how] drugs can be laced with certain things and I think that a lot of the younger generation should know about it,” Scales said.
Both Weighill and Kennedy agree that education is of the utmost importance, especially when buying drugs on the street that could be laced with more dangerous substances.
As for Scales, the billboards are a great way to start.
“Seeing it on the street and stuff like that, it’s going to spread through Regina and everywhere else so more people can know about it.”
Noel Ponace told CTV News that he deals with overdoses weekly.
“I see it all the time, I manage a building here in the city so I have to deal with it weekly, so I have to always have Narcan available in case someone overdoses anywhere inner-city it’s a struggle for everyone,” Ponance said.
Ponace said he believes most people are impacted, even if they don’t take the drugs, many know someone who has.
That is why the education piece is so vital for Kennedy. She said she is meeting with Regina Police Chief Evan Bray and the public school board to figure out more ways to educate youth in Regina.
But for Scales, having the personal experience was lesson enough for her to stay away from drugs.
“I wouldn’t want that for any of my younger siblings to see me like that.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.