Sask. overdose numbers in 2024 drop, according to new report

Overdose stats down from last year in Sask. WATCH: The overdose crisis continues to be a serious problem in Sask., but stats are down from last year. Mick Favel explains.

After three years of the highest count of deaths due to overdoses in Saskatchewan’s history, the numbers have declined.

According to new data released by the Saskatchewan Coroners Service (SCS) on drug toxicity deaths, there were 346 suspected and confirmed overdoses deaths in the province in 2024 compared to 459 suspected and confirmed deaths in 2023.

Since 2021, the Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre has been practicing harm reduction in their building.

Aside from the space, they also offer a testing machine which determines if there are any dangerous chemicals found in samples of drugs.

Emile Gariepy, the manager of wâhkôhtowin Harm Reduction said both the space and machine are playing a part in people keeping safe and alive.

“We have been noticing a lot of return people, there’s lots of new people coming in. We have a steady flow of people always using the Centre,” Gariepy said.

Rhonda Blackmore, the commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP said families and the well-being of people in the province is a major focus for the force when dealing with dangerous substances.

“It has to be a whole wrap around approach with support, addictions treatment, all of those pieces,” said Blackmore about solving the drug problem.

In a statement to CTV News, the SCS said a new pilot program is on the way, which will alert communities of an elevated risk of overdose in their community.

The SCS went on to say although the overdose numbers from 2024 are encouraging, it is premature to speculate on what might be behind the trend.