NIPAWIN — Take-home drug checking strips are now available in 30 locations across the province, including Nipawin, as part of a provincial initiative aimed at curbing the number of overdose deaths in the province.
The test strips, designed to check for fentanyl and benzodiazepine (benzo), are available to the general public for the purpose of at home drug checking.
To perform a test, the drug checker will take a tiny sample of the street drug being tested and dissolve it in water. The test strip is then dipped into the water and within a few minutes it will give the result. Coloured lines will appear on the strip indicating a positive result through one line or a negative result through two lines.
According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, sites were determined based upon the Authority’s current harm reduction sites and their capacity to take on new initiatives.
"The tragedy of overdose and toxic street drug deaths continue to be a heavy burden on our communities," said Everett Hindley, Saskatchewan’s minister for mental health and addictions in a statement. "Our government remains committed to expanding addictions services, and providing widespread access to drug checking strips is one way to save lives."
Additional sites will have the opportunity to begin distribution of harm reduction supplies if it is determined to be a need in that area.
Locations currently include Beauval, Buffalo Narrows, Cumberland House, Green Lake, Île-à-la-Crosse, Kamsack, La Loche, La Ronge, Lloydminster, Maidstone, Meadow Lake, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Yorkton and Nipawin. To find the closest location for pick-up, the public can visit saskatchewan.ca/overdose.
In Nipawin the strips can be obtained at the Nipawin Hospital at 800 6th St. E. The hospital can be reached by phone at 306-862-6100. Individuals are asked to call first to find out hours of availability.
Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more toxic than other opioids and cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. Out of 149 confirmed accidental drug toxicity deaths in Saskatchewan in 2021, 108 or 72 per cent involved fentanyl.
For 2020, the Saskatchewan Coroners Service confirmed 296 accidental drug toxicity deaths.
The Ministry of Health asks all those using street drugs to not use alone, to use the buddy system or call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-6677. Naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdoses are available throughout the province. Individuals are asked to visit saskatchewan.ca/opioids for more information.
The province notes that mixing benzos with opioids increases the risk of overdose, because they both have sedative properties. As well, naloxone, which normally reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, is not effective in counteracting benzos.
Test strips only check if certain fentanyl or benzos compounds are present in the portion of the drugs tested. They do not detect other drugs and do not show the amount of fentanyl or benzos present in the substance.
A negative result on a test strip does not guarantee the substance is safe. Test strips only check if certain fentanyl or benzos compounds are present in the portion of the drugs tested. They do not detect other drugs and do not show the amount of fentanyl or benzos present in the substance. These strips are an additional tool to limit potential overdoses.
In the event of an overdose, individuals are asked to call 911. Under the Good Samaritan Act, individuals will not be charged for possession of an illegal substance if they are calling for assistance during an overdose.
