Sask. government increases access to tests that can detect fentanyl in street drugs
Fentanyl and benzodiazepine drug checking strips are now available at more than 30 locations across Saskatchewan for the purpose of at home drug checking.
The increase in availability comes after the province began offering the strips in Regina and Saskatoon earlier this year.
"This is a major step to help reduce the risk of overdoses throughout Saskatchewan," Prairie Harm Reduction executive director Jason Mercredi said in a news release.
With the expansion, the testing strips will be available in many northern communities including Buffalo Narrows, La Loche and La Ronge.
"Prairie Harm Reduction is pleased to be a partner with the Government of Saskatchewan to ensure this harm reduction tool is widely available to everyone in Saskatchewan, both urban and rural."
Fentanyl, which cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, is 50 to 100 times more toxic than other opioids.
Of 149 confirmed accidental overdose deaths in Saskatchewan in 2021, 108 involved fentanyl, according to the province.
Mixing benzodiazepines (benzos) with opioids increases the risk of overdose, because they both have sedative properties.
Naloxone, which normally reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, is not effective in counteracting benzos, the province says.
A negative result on a test strip does not guarantee the substance is safe. Test strips only check if certain fentanyl or benzos compounds are present in the portion of the drugs tested.
They do not detect other drugs and do not show the amount of fentanyl or benzos present in the substance.
"We are grateful anytime we see the adoption of evidence based harm reduction measures on a large scale," provincial lead of Mom's Stop the Harm Canada Marie Agioritis said in the release.
"It gives me hope that someone else's mother could be spared the pain of burying a child. These test strips will save lives. Let's get them into the hands of people who need them."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.