Saskatchewan’s two largest cities will run pilot programs to connect people who have recently experienced an overdose with existing services.

The goal is to reduce the future risk of overdose and other drug-related harms.

“Overdose Outreach Teams are part of a hot-spotting approach which is a strategy to help direct resources to people who are at the highest risk in specific geographic regions,” said Mental Health and Addictions Minister Everett Hindley at a Regina news conference on Thursday.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is leading the pilot project with key partners including the Saskatoon Fire Department and Regina Fire Protective Services.

“The Saskatoon Fire Department has witnessed first-hand the increase in medical calls related to overdoses,” said Morgan Hackl, Saskatoon fire chief. “The proactive collaboration of the Overdose Outreach Team will be instrumental in providing coordinated support to those with addictions.”

People who have experienced an overdose can be referred to the Overdose Outreach Team by anyone such as a friend, family member, Police Officer, or Paramedic as long as the individual gives consent to be referred. Anyone can submit a referral through the Saskatchewan website.

The pilot will run until May 15th and the results were be evaluated afterward. The pilot program could possibly continue or even expand to other communities.

The new program will receive $250,000 from the Drug Task Force, which includes representatives from provincial government ministries, the Chief Medical Health Officer, provincial coroner, police organizations, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and more recently the Saskatoon Tribal Council.

(photo-Regina Fire Protective Services/Twitter)