Here in Saskatchewan there is an epidemic of opioid abuse, just as there is in other provinces across Canada. In Saskatoon alone many people have given their lives to the monster of Fentanyl. The number of deaths is high, however the number of overdoses even higher. The real statistics are unknown at this time. What can you do if you are an addict looking for help? The answer is basically nothing...

You would think that there would be options. Detox, methadone, rehab, addiction counselling; something that is made available to these people. With the numbers of fatalities skyrocketing across Canada. The reality of it is, that those who seek help are still not given it in a timely fashion. These individuals who are reaching out for help, in most cases need it immediately, not to be put on a waiting list to become another statistic. The thing about Fentanyl in the form of fake "oxy" pills is that you NEVER really know how much you are getting. You can take two pills both of which appear the same. One may have a little Fentanyl in it, and the other may contain a lethal dose.
What makes this so terrifying is that these addicts are reaching out for help and not getting it in a prompt manner. They have nowhere else to go, and end up turning back to the drug. 

We as a province need to do something. We need take home Prophylactic Naloxone kits the "epi pen" for overdoses. We need education for kids in schools, and not just the ones from "high risk" communities. We need privatized treatment centres in Saskatchewan; with payment options so that everyone no matter their financial status can get healthy and live. Parents need education, on how to detect the signs, and behaviours. We need safe injection sites. We need to change the way we look at drugs, because the stigma we have is NOT working. Parents, teacher’s, and people in power think that if they talk down on drugs and drug addicts that this will prevent others from trying them. This mindset, and attitude is clearly not working.

As the statistics are not yet available for Saskatchewan I will include those from Alberta to put the epidemic into proportion. In 2013 there were 66 Fentanyl related deaths, in 2014- 120, and from January – May 2015 170 deaths related to Fentanyl. The effects of this epidemic are felt all over Canada, not only in our community. This means it not only effects me, but you as well.

There are people who have voluntarily put their names on lists with addiction services and other similar organizations. In hopes they can be put into a rehabilitation centre. However since there are limited options for help, the reality is that addicts often end up overdosing before they are able to receive the help they need. We MUST change the system, the attitudes and the way we view and deal with drugs, to come up with a solution to help these addicts. If we do not help them today, we might not have the chance to help them tomorrow.

We need more spots available in existing treatment centres. We need privatized treatment centres. We need to bring in the "Epi Pen" kits for overdoses, We need education for children and parents. We need to fight for a better system.

We will be presenting this Petition to the Health Minister of Saskatchewan Dustin Duncan. Our goal is to have 2000 signatures before it reaches his desk.