Saskatoon Fire Chief Doug Wegren says his department has experienced an increase in overdose-related calls since the closure of Prairie Harm Reduction (PHR).

PHR was Saskatoon’s safe injection site—-but it was forced to cease operations on April 9th due to a dire financial shortfall. It also provided a drop-in centre, support services, education services, family support and two youth homes. Those closed earlier this month with the supervised consumption site ending services on March 26th.

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) reports responding to 301 drug overdose calls during the first 19 days of this month. Chief Wegren says the Saskatoon Fire Department is closely monitoring the additional pressure these calls place on service capacity. He adds SFD remains strongly focused on staff well-being.

There have been 810 drug overdose calls in Saskatoon this year—-which is lower than the 991 calls reported during the same period last year.