Drug toxicity deaths in Sask. seemingly on course to match record set in 2023

Saskatchewan's overdose crisis is tragically on par with last year's record breaking total, with more than 200 people having lost their lives to accidental overdoses in the first seven months of the year.

From Jan. 1 to July 31, 229 people have died as a result of drug toxicity in Saskatchewan. Of those, 104 have been conclusively proven to be accidental, while five were found to be a result of suicide. One case is still classified as undetermined.

In addition, suspected drug toxicity deaths total 119 in the same period, resulting in a total of 229.

Including both confirmed and suspected deaths – 2023 saw 460 people lose their lives to drug toxicity.

“Drug toxicity is getting much, much worse. We're seeing combinations of drugs where people still don't know there's fentanyl in it,” explained Kayla Demong, executive director of Prairie Harm Reduction.