SASK. PARTY FAILS TO ACT AS DEADLIER FORM OF DANGEROUS DRUG HITS SASKATOON

Coroners Service Reports 224 Suspected Drug Related Deaths This Year in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON – Deadly drugs are flooding our streets. Overdoses are rising. Families are grieving. And the Sask. Party is still slow to respond — if they respond at all.

This weekend, the Ministry of Health issued a public alert after a drug sample tested positive for Fentanyl, Xylazine, and Benzodiazepines—a toxic mix that greatly reduces the effectiveness of Naloxone. Naloxone, the overdose reversal drug, is ineffective against two of the three substances. The Saskatoon Fire Department and Prairie Harm Reduction have reported a spike in overdoses.

“A warning without action is a siren with no rescue,” said Betty Nippi-Albright, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Mental Health & Addictions. “This is a crisis. We need leadership that shows up.”

Nippi-Albright is demanding an emergency response plan that delivers:

Increased funding to frontline healthcare services focused on preventing drug deaths and supporting mental health
Immediate access to inpatient treatment for substance use harms—detox, rehabilitation, and wraparound care
Funding for long-term recovery homes to support sustained healing and reintegration
Provincewide mental health and substance use supports
Aggressive action to disrupt drug trafficking networks

As of September 1, 224 people have died from suspected overdoses, poisonings, or drug-related suicides in 2025 — nearly one death every single day.

“This is a public health emergency,” Nippi Albright said. “The Sask. Party has ignored it for 18 years. People are dying. Families are shattered. Communities are overwhelmed. We need action—not more silence.”

The contaminated drug, described as a green/brown flake substance typically smoked, remains a threat. The Saskatoon drug alert is in effect until September 13.

“Saskatchewan deserves a government that fights for people — not just patting themselves on the back for their slow and ineffective response to this deadly public health drug crisis,” Nippi Albright said.

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