Regina police aware of 160 apparent drug overdose deaths in 2021
2021 was a record year for drug overdoses in Regina with police reporting 160 apparent deaths over the past year – a 40 per cent spike from 2020.
The Regina Police Service (RPS) said it is aware of 1,800 drug overdoses last year, according to annual crime stats presented on Tuesday.
“That’s not every overdose that happened. There were a lot that would have gone unreported but the number to emergency services, 1,800 in a community our size is extremely high,” RPS Chief Evan Bray said.
The year end numbers were presented at a Board of Police Commissioners meeting. Back in 2018, Regina dealt with 31 overdose deaths, and 21 in 2019. In 2020, there were 111. Another rise this year is a cause for concern for city officials.
“We’re looking for best practices across Canada in terms of what’s working. It’s both complicated and complex,” Regina Mayor Sandra Masters said.
Police attended 341 apparent overdoses in 2021, administering Narcan in 27.
Regina’s All Nations Hope Network said drug overdoses have taken the lives of several of their clients.
As Indigenous people, we know that life is so precious and so important and that spirit that lives in each and every one of us lives in our creator,” Margaret Kisikaw Piyesis, All Nations Hope’s finance and research director, said.
“We want to take care of that spirit so if they are going to use drugs and alcohol throughout the rest of their lifetime, that’s their choice, but we want to make sure that they’re safe and that they have a place and that they’re loved.”
The provincial government points to higher spending to provide addictions treatment, with a goal of adding another 150 spaces over the next three years and continuing expansion of harm reduction services.
The NDP believe more could be done through harm reduction.
“I can’t stress enough that there are solutions to some of these crises. There are not overnight fixes but there’s a lot that we could be doing differently,” Meara Conway, an NDP MLA, said.
December saw the highest monthly total of apparent overdose deaths, with 23.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.