Testing to detect tainted street drugs now available in Saskatoon and Regina
Street drug users in Saskatoon and Regina will now be able to test if drugs contain two potentially deadly substances.
On Tuesday the Government of Saskatchewan announced fentanyl and benzodiazepine (benzo) test strips are available in the province's two largest cities.
Of the 73 confirmed opioid-related deaths in 2021, 66 per cent involved fentanyl which is 50-100 times more toxic than other opioids, the province said in a news release.
Often drugs users don't know if there is fentanyl present in the drugs they are using.
"We have seen the devastating impact that fentanyl has had on so many Saskatchewan families and communities," mental health and addictions minister Everett Hindley said in the release.
The stips are available to clients at Newo Yotina Friendship Centre in Regina and at Prairie Harm Reduction in Saskatoon.
Prairie Harm Reduction executive director Jason Mercredi says the site started using the strips on Tuesday and clients "seem to be receptive."
"It's good because it's another tool to help us prevent overdose deaths," Mercredi told CTV News.
"We can provide better drug education to them and they're much more receptive when they know if there's fentanyl or benzo in their drugs."
Mercredi says the strips will help the community stay safer by having real time information as the site will be collecting data and tracking how many tests identify fentanyl and benzodiazepine.
"(It will) allow us to send out drug alerts a lot quicker and we're hopeful for the future because the province is funding this and hopefully they'll start funding our safe consumption site next year," Mercredi said.
Mercredi says the site has a couple hundred strips and will receive more as needed.
Staff at both locations have received training on the proper use of the strips, according to the province.
"Adding drug testing, with the support of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, will further enhance our ability to reduce harm in our community," said Newo Yotina Friendship Centre executive director Michael Parker.
The province emphasizes that the absence of the two substances does not necessarily mean the drugs are safe.
The test strips also do not reveal the amount of fentanyl or benzodiazepine that is present when there is a positive result.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.