sask. reaches new record for overdose deaths in 2022
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saskatchewan has seen another record number of lives lost to fatal drug overdoses in 2022, according to preliminary data reported in january.
saskatchewan coroner’s service estimates that there were 421 confirmed and suspected drug toxicity deaths in 2022, an increase from the now-confirmed record-setting 410 deaths in 2021.
of the cases on record, 217 deaths are classified as “suspected,” according to the most recent update to the report.
suspected deaths mean that evidence points to overdose as a cause, but an autopsy or toxicology report has not yet been completed to confirm that fact.
nine cases from last year remain suspected, awaiting confirmation through the process of a coroner’s inquest, said chief coroner clive weighill.
weighill spoke on the data thursday, in conjunction with an announcement of the conclusion of investigation into the fatal overdose of a regina man a day after being released from hospital.
he described the overdose epidemic as complex, noting that the people lost to drug overdoses come from all walks of life, age demographics and circumstances.
“this is a really tough situation to tackle,” weighill said, when asked about how to address it. “it’s hard to come up with just one solution to try and solve this.”
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he noted that the year-over-year increase between this year and last has narrowed, following continued dramatic increases since 2017.
saskatchewan saw 11 more overdoses this year than last, compared to a jump of over 100 more between 2020 and 2021.
“hopefully, that’s a positive indicator,” he said. “that shows, to me, that possibly we’re going to hit a plateau of drug overdoses here in saskatchewan.”
saskatchewan has now seen more than 1,600 fatal overdoses since 2010, over 1,000 of which have occurred in the past three years.
weighill confirmed the majority of overdoses in the last two years involved fentanyl and its derivatives, an opioid that has been increasing in presence in the illicit drug supply since 2015.
fentanyl is confirmed as present in two-thirds of the overdoses that took place in 2021, and over half the confirmed cases in 2022.
regional tracking shows that regina and saskatoon had the largest number of confirmed drug fatalities. regina has nearly doubled saskatoon statistics for the past three years.
when asked, weighill noted that the two cities are the province’s largest centres.
confirmed overdoses also occurred in 47 other communities in the province in 2022, most rural.
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weighill said the prolonged crisis of drug-related deaths is putting notable strain on the province, including the coroner’s office.
the number of autopsies happening each year has increased by 400, and he said the nature of these cases is taking a toll on the mental health of responding coroners.
“they’re dealing with death every day,” weighill said. “our coroners, every call they get is a death. they go to these and they see life that has been taken by a drug overdose, probably needlessly, and which possibly could have been prevented.”
advocates from across the province are also feeling the strain. many repeated alarms after record-breaking stats were tabulated last year, calling for a more involved provincial overdose strategy.
saskatchewan is set to add 150 new addictions beds over the next three years, which weighill said will help make detox treatment accessible when people need it most.
the province has also made more accessible fentanyl testing strips and take-home naloxone kits, the injectable medication that can temporarily counteract an opioid overdose. more than 29,000 kits have been handed out since 2015, said the provincial health authority in march.
but organizations on the front line helping people who use drugs say just opening beds won’t solve the problem, unless its accompanied by action to address underlying issues of poverty, homelessness, mental health and stigma.
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– with files from zak vescera, saskatoon starphoenix
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