Saskatchewan launches new drug alert program
No, not to keep track of new products.
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Tim McLeod, along with Regina Mayor Sandra Masters, unveiled the new Provincial Drug Alert System or Provincial Drug Alert System.
It will allow the Ministry of Health to better coordinate drug alerts and help partner organizations monitor the toxicity of illicit drugs throughout Saskatchewan. At the presentation of the system, they gave examples of possible alerts: the distribution of unknown and therefore potentially dangerous compounds disguised as other drugs (e.g., fentanyl). The alert would include photos of the substances, the approximate geography of distribution, and a description of the potential harm.
Anyone will be able to sign up for the notifications, and they will be distributed via email, sms or push notifications in the app.
McLeod said it is important to help drug addicts who still have a long road to recovery.
"The goal of drug alerts is to increase awareness of the dangers of illicit drugs and the presence of other toxic substances that further increase the risk of overdose and death."
The Saskatchewan Coroners Service, Regina and Saskatoon Fire Services, and drug checking sites in Saskatoon and Regina will supply information for the Ministry of Health application.
The full list of notification types in the new service looks like this:
- a higher than expected number of overdose-related hospitalizations within a short period of time;
- multiple severe outcomes (hospitalization in the intensive care unit, death) within a short period of time;
- multiple overdoses in persons using or living in the same neighborhood or reporting use of the same substance;
- overdoses that are difficult to reverse with naloxone;
- the introduction of new substances into circulation that may cause harm or death.
The new initiative is part of Saskatchewan's extensive substance abuse and addiction program. Other projects provide health care and information to people in the province.
The Government of Saskatchewan has committed to doubling the number of addiction treatment beds across the province, meaning at least 500 more centers.
