Drug overdose has been a major concern for Saskatchewan in recent years as the number of overdose deaths continues to rise in the province with few safe injection sites.
As part of the province’s effort to reduce the number of overdoses, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is partnering with both the Saskatoon and Regina fire departments to develop overdose outreach teams.
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The teams are part of a pilot project to help individuals reduce their risk of overdose and other drug-related harm, as well as help people access the support they need to recover and recover.
Mental Health and Addictions said, “We have seen this Overdose Outreach Team model used in other parts of Canada as well as regions of the United States and feel it is another tool for us to deal with treatment and recovery.” Will happen.” Minister Everett Hindley.
The overdose team includes mental health and addiction counselors from SHA and primary care paramedics from the Regina and Saskatoon fire services.
The province said the team will provide counseling sessions with individuals as well as connect them with other agencies for long-term care and attention.
“We want to see a reduction in overdoses happening in our communities,” Hindley said.
Layne Jackson, head of the Regina Fire and Protective Service, said the overdose issue is something that needs the city’s immediate attention.
“We’ve had prevention and public education in this community for many years, whether it’s in schools or with Canadians, but this is about prevention,” Jackson said. “Prevention Through Education.”
Saskatoon Fire Chief Morgan Hackley shares a similar view, and hopes the team will provide a new level of support he said is desperately needed in the city.
“Active collaboration with the overdose outreach team will be critical in providing coordinated support to people with acidity,” Hackley said.
The province said the overdose outreach teams are one of the Saskatchewan Drug Task Force’s priorities and are part of a ‘hot-spotting approach’, a strategy to help direct resources to those at highest risk in specific geographic areas.
The Drug Task Force is providing $650,000 to fund hot-spotting initiatives, including $250,000 for the Overdose Outreach Teams pilot project.
The pilot in Regina and Saskatoon will run until May 15, 2023.
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