DEATHS IN SASKATCHEWAN

The Office of the Chief Coroner investigates all sudden, unexpected and unnatural deaths, including those due to drug toxicity. According to updated figures on the coroner’s website as of July 10, there was a decrease in fentanyl deaths in the province in 2016 as compared to 2015. However, the data does not include drug-related deaths that are still under investigation in Saskatchewan.

■ 22 confirmed deaths involving fentanyl in 2015

Saskatoon — 12

Battleford — 1

Kindersley — 1

Kindersley area — 1

Moose Jaw — 1

Swift Current — 1

Prince Albert — 1

RM of Pleasantdale — 1

Rosthern — 1

Weyburn Community — 1

Wynyard — 1

■ Seven confirmed deaths involving

fentanyl in 2016

Saskatoon — 1

Regina — 3

Kindersley — 1

Marshall — 1

Moose Jaw — 1

■ One confirmed death involving

fentanyl in 2017

Saskatoon — 1

■ Drug toxicity deaths by manner of

death

2015 — 117 deaths

Accident — 87

Suicide — 23

Undetermined — 7

2016 — 82 deaths

Accident — 71

Suicide — 8

Undetermined — 3

2017 — five deaths

Accident — 3

Suicide — 1

Undetermined — 1

■ Breakdown of opioid drugs identified in accidental deaths in 2016

Codeine — 8

Fentanyl — 6

Heroin — 1

Hydromorphone — 17

Methadone — 28

Morphine — 16

Oxycodone — 4