Saskatoon students advocate for safe consumption site funding
More than 100 students from the University of Saskatchewan, mostly from the College of Medicine, have penned a letter to the province calling for funding for safe consumption sites.
“As a group of primarily medical students, we understand substance use to be something that should be approached from a medical standpoint rather than a political issue,” said Adrian Teare, vice president of communication with Students for Harm Reduction and Informed Policy.
The group says this is the third consecutive budget that the Sask. Party government has decided not to fund safe consumption sites.
The letter is addressed to Premier Scott Moe, Minister of Health Paul Merriman and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Everett Hindley.
The letter received several endorsements from medical groups, medical professionals and community advocates.
“In recent years, overdose fatalities have dramatically increased in Saskatchewan," the letter says.
"Between 2010-2015, Saskatchewan averaged 91 drug overdose fatalities per year. In 2020, there were 321 confirmed overdose deaths. According to the most recent report released by the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, there were 446 suspected overdose deaths in 2021, representing a 39 per cent increase from 2020 and a 390 per cent increase from the 2010-2015 average. There have been zero overdose fatalities at safe consumption sites within the province."
The group has met with Merriman and Hindley.
Teare said the funding would mean being able to increase the hours safe consumption sites are available, which is important because there isn't a predictable time overdoses will happen.
Saskatoon's safe consumption site, Prairie Harm Reduction (PHR), operates Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
“We have to continue to rely on donations and community support to open up the space to operate,” executive director Kayla DeMong said.
PHR has an annual budget of $600,000. In 2021, it was used by 508 people, making up a total of 3,680 total visits.
“It's really difficult to try and plan and to try and create a sustainable employment for our staff and create a sustainable program for the people that access our services because there is no guarantee that those donations will come,” DeMong said.
In a statement to CTV News, the province said it was spending $3.8 million on harm reduction in 2022-23.
"Distributing harm reduction services across the province, rather than focusing funds on a single site, is an important step in ensuring that Saskatchewan people have equitable access to life-saving services and supplies," the statement said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada pledges funds as G7 develops response to famine fallout from Russian invasion
Canada pledged $50 million to prevent Ukrainian grain from going to waste on Sunday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to work with G7 nations on further measures to halt the famine caused by the Russian invasion of the embattled country.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine a 'turning point' in world history: defence chief
Canada's chief of defence says Russia's invasion of Ukraine is going to change the course of history.
People with COVID-19 can infect and sicken cats and dogs by cuddling them: study
Cat and dog owners who cuddle their pets when infected with COVID-19 could end up making the animals sick with the virus, according to a Canadian study.
Halifax scientists have a plan to capture carbon from the atmosphere using mining materials
A Dalhousie University team of scientists — in a joint venture with a company called Planetary Technologies — is now in the next phase of their research to use the power of the ocean to one day reduce the world’s carbon levels.
U.S. Ambassador Cohen on inflation, the convoy protests, abortion rights and gun control
David Cohen has been the United States' Ambassador to Canada since November 2021, and in the time since, both Canada and the United States have experienced a series of shared challenges. In an interview at his official residence in Ottawa, Cohen opens up about the state of the relationship.
Trudeau mocks 'bare-chested horseback riding' Putin as G7 leaders meet in Germany
Russian President Valdimir Putin was a target of mockery by leaders of the Group of Seven, as they sat around a table Sunday, commencing their three-day summit in Bavarian Alps, Germany.
Russia strikes Kyiv as Western leaders meet in Europe
Russia shattered weeks of relative calm in the Ukrainian capital with long-range missiles fired toward Kyiv early Sunday, an apparent Kremlin show-of-force as Western leaders meet in Europe to strengthen their military and economic support of Ukraine.
Live updates: G7 nations seek to counter Chinese influence
The latest on the G7 summit: The Group of Seven leading democratic economies has formally launched at its annual summit a global infastructure and investment partnership aimed at pushing back China's influence in the developing world.
Norway mourns victims of Oslo shooting with memorial service
Norway's prime minister and members of the royal family joined mourners at a memorial service Sunday at Oslo Cathedral for the victims of a shooting attack as the capital held its annual LGBTQ Pride festival.