Doctor commends Saskatoon police overdose response

SASKATOON A doctor is commending Saskatoon police for their response to a number of suspected overdoses on the weekend that resulted in two deaths from cocaine allegedly laced with fentanyl.

Police took the unusual step of releasing the street name and phone number of an alleged drug dealer in the hope of preventing further casualties. Three people were arrested.

“They identified the overdoses very quickly and then they started working through the food chain to get to the dealers,” Dr. Peter Butt, an addictions expert from the University of Saskatchewan, said in a phone interview Monday.

Police said they responded to at least six suspected overdoses on Saturday. A man and a woman died. Another person was in a coma.

Three men, all from out of province, were in custody Monday facing drug and weapons charges. Saskatoon police Supt. Dave Haye said manslaughter charges are also being considered.

He said it’s the first time he’s aware of that the force released that type of information.

“We believe that the public safety interests are of the greater need here and that’s why we released that information,” Haye told a news conference.

Police issued a public safety advisory warning that cocaine purchased from an alleged dealer using the name “Lil Joe” or “Joe Bro” with the cellphone number 306-8817300 could be laced with a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. Authorities now have the cellphone connected to that number.

Premier Scott Moe said the province needs to continue to do more to prevent further overdoses.

“This is something that needs to be a priority for us as we move forward to ensure that ... some of our communities’ most vulnerable ... are in front of the right professional as soon as possible and receiving the appropriate care as soon as possible,” he said.

NDP Opposition Leader Ryan Meili, who is also a physician, said any information that helps avoid drugs which can cause immediate harm is positive.

But he also said the provincial government should do more to help people with mental-health problems and addictions.