(650 CKOM)

By CKOM News

Saskatoon sees a spike in drug overdoses

May 5, 2020 | 11:33 AM

Paramedics with Medavie Health Services responded to twice the normal number of overdose calls last week.

Since weekly reporting began in September of 2019, paramedics typically have responded to an average of 40 to 45 overdose calls weekly.

Last week they responded to 88 overdose calls, and 20 of those patients needed the administration of Narcan.

Troy Davies with Medavie says the calls can be for anything from crystal meth and heroin to alcohol and marijuana. He says the patients paramedics attend to are all ages.

“Of the 20 patients that we gave Narcan to, after going through every one of the reports, these ages are ranging from 17 years old to 56 years old,” said Davies.

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The overdose response is an all-time high, and Davies is concerned the COVID-19 pandemic could be a contributing factor.

“If it starts to be a sign and symptom of being isolated or from being restricted from seeing others, reach out for help, even if that’s calling a friend or loved one to share your feelings,” Davies said.

Davies says officials did anticipate there would be an increase in calls due to the pandemic and the isolation, but did not expect it would be this much.

“We did expect the numbers to see a slight increase due to the fact that people are isolated right now,” he said. “There might be some depression, there might be some mental health (issues), but to see our numbers double, that was alarming to us.

Davies says he is thankful nobody died among the high number of overdose calls.