While opioid abuse has increased in Saskatchewan, Flin Flon and Creighton have not followed the same pattern.
RCMP officers in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba have reported they have not responded to any deaths, overdoses or injuries relating to opioid use in Flin Flon.
A post circulated on social media by the Northern Health Region in April warned that overdoses on fentanyl and other opioids have been reported in several communities in Saskatchewan.
The post also warns that fentanyl can be added to pills and to other illicit drugs, often without the user’s knowledge.
Each officer with both Flin Flon and Creighton RCMP detachments is mandated to carry two doses of naloxone with them at all times. However, since officers in the two detachments began carrying them, not one dose has had to be administered.
“I don’t see a lot of our crimes directed towards that issue. We’re not seeing any break-and-enters to sell stuff to get drugs. We’re not really seeing that here,” said Creighton RCMP Sgt. Sean McPhee.
While the naloxone has not been used, officers acknowledge that opioid abuse is growing in the region, particularly with high-grade prescription painkillers like hydromorphone.
Police have received reports that some high-abuse medications, including fentanyl, are present in and around Flin Flon, but have not found any or responded to any overdoses or other opioid-caused medical emergencies.
“Presently, some of the traditional prescription opioids are used in this area. The non-medical fentanyl has a high risk because nobody knows how much they’re getting, if it’s with other drugs, or the potency,” said Flin Flon RCMP Sgt. Mark Svaren.
“There is certainly reason to believe that fentanyl is in our area like any others, but we haven’t been first responders to deal with any overdoses yet.”
