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By Cam Lee

Fentanyl concerns

Fentanyl seen in Melfort area as well: Melfort RCMP

Mar 17, 2025 | 5:58 PM

The fentanyl issue is an issue across Saskatchewan, and the northeast is no exception.

The Ministry of Health has issued an overdose alert in Prince Albert after two suspected drug toxicity deaths in the city over the weekend. A similar alert was previously issued in Saskatoon earlier in the month.

Melfort RCMP Staff Sgt. Ryan Case told northeastNOW there is fentanyl in the Melfort area.

“Unfortunately it is common to come across,” said Case. “Typically, the fentanyl is being found in other illicit hard drugs (laced), such as cocaine, meth, and heroin.”

Case said some drug users are also choosing to use straight fentanyl not mixed with other drugs. The Melfort detachment has had to deal with multiple cases of fentanyl overdoses, some of which have been fatal.

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“Not all cases of overdoses are being reported to the police because the person has sought medical treatment on their own without involving authorities.”

Case likened the use of fentanyl as “Russian Roulette.” It takes very little of the drug to have negative or fatal effects, according to Case.

“When someone is using illicit drugs, the trafficker doesn’t take the care to measure out the drugs properly,” Case said. “The drug user just doesn’t know how much fentanyl is in their drug of choice, if any.”

He said as a rule of thumb all drug users need to assume that all drugs contain some fentanyl, and some types of fentanyl are more fatal than others.

Naloxone, under the brand name NARCAN, is used to reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose on a patient. Despite the use of the naloxone nasal spray or injection, the patient still needs to seek medical attention. Case said all RCMP members are training in the administration of naloxone, and they all carry the nasal spray.

“The NARCAN can be used on overdose patients or on RCMP members when and if they are exposed to suspected fentanyl,” said Case.

A person experiencing an overdose can reach out for medical attention without fear of being charged, as part of the Good Samaritan Drug Act. Case said the intention of the act is to allow people to seek medical help without fear of involving the police, and this is the case for all illicit drugs.

Case said using hard drugs is very dangerous at any time, but especially now with how common fentanyl has become. He added the use of hard drugs can have unintentional, perhaps fatal consequences.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com