Regina police service makes public plea after 18 fatal suspected overdoses in 30 days
Global News
'This drug is killing fathers, mothers, children, siblings, friends, neighbours and colleagues. And it is ruining the lives of many more people,' says the RPS of the opioid crisis.
The Regina Police Service has issued a plea to residents after responding to 18 fatal suspected overdoses in November alone.
“It’s a struggle to make this message stand out in what has been a busy – and difficult – year. But, we are asking – even begging – people to stop for a moment to consider the clear and present danger of fentanyl and other drugs in our city,” the RPS said in a statement.
“And it is ruining the lives of many more people.”
In November 2021, RPS Communications Centre transferred 231 calls to EMS for both non-fatal and fatal drug overdoses.
In October 2021, there were 19 apparent overdose deaths in Regina.
From Jan. 1 to Dec. 1, 2021 RPS Communications Centre has received and transferred 1,641 calls to EMS for drug overdoses. So far this year, officers have accompanied EMS on 299 of those overdose calls. Of those calls, 137 of them involved people dying from apparent drug overdoses.
According to the Saskatchewan Coroners Service in Regina there have been 81 confirmed drug toxicity deaths in 2021 as of Nov. 3.
Sgt. Donna Wall has been with RPS for 28 years and said the issue of drugs and overdoses has changed “dramatically” since she started in the 90s.
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