Regina city hall encampment residents say a 'new, powerful drug' likely responsible for recent overdoses

There has been a noticeable increase in suspected fatal drug overdoses in Regina this year including one at the encampment outside of city hall.

There has been a noticeable increase in suspected fatal drug overdoses in Regina this year including one at the encampment outside of city hall.

New and more powerful drugs are hitting the streets and the results can be fatal.

Those at the camp in front of city hall say a powerful new drug is what took a woman’s life Wednesday morning.

Charles Klassen said he does not use drugs but understands why some people living in the tent encampment do.

“It’s an escape from reality,” he said. “The reality is they have no place to live in. They just want to escape reality for a brief moment in time. So it’s an escape from reality, the reality of being homeless and stuff like that. It takes your mind away from that.”

According to those living at the camp, anyone can end up staying there.

“I ended up having to retire early as a boilermaker and then we still haven’t been able to find a place because these places get boarded up and they leave them boarded up, camp resident Tony Gallernault said. “Some of them are brand new places and all they have to do is take the boards off and people can move right in.”