What to know to stay safe, healthy at summer festivals
SASKATOON Summer festivals bring good music, and fun with friends, but they can also bring heat-related dangers, and risks from alcohol and drug use.
“It’s important for all individuals to be aware of the presence of drugs, and that the combination of heat and unknown drugs can cause serious health implications, and death,” said Dr. Simon Kapaj, medical health officer for Saskatchewan Health Authority.
He wants to remind individuals to stay safe and make the right choices when it comes to drugs and alcohol. He also cautioned about the risks of opioids and opioid overdose.
“In the past, we’ve had cases where individuals have used unknown drugs, taken through pills or drinks, and one of them has been fentanyl,” he said.
“It’s quite important they are aware it exists. It’s an illegal drug and can be mixed with other drugs — and it can be lethal.”
Symptoms of an opioid overdose include cold and clammy skin, slow or no breathing, difficulty walking and talking, and blue lips or nails. If you suspect someone is having an opioid overdose, do not leave the person alone, and call 911 immediately.
Health Canada also emphasizes the importance of staying safe during the many festivals happening across the country, and provides a few tips for reducing potential harms of drugs and alcohol, including understanding any illegal drug could be tainted with dangerous
substances such as fentanyl and carfentanil, never leaving a drink unattended, and being aware that people who use drugs and alcohol can be at an increased risk of sexual assault.
As Country Thunder Saskatchewan revs up in Craven this weekend, the Regina Police Service is warning everyone about staying safe on the roads. Police advise motorists to allow extra travel time due to increased traffic, pull over or give your phone to a passenger to check a map or get in touch with friends, and not to drive under any circumstances after drinking.
Road checks will be set up in the Craven area and surrounding highways by RCMP, targeting distracted and impaired drivers, while also checking for use of seatbelts and open liquor.
For free transportation to and from the Country Thunder festival to Regina or Moose Jaw, SGI’S Safe Ride schedule can be found online through a link on the countrythunder.com page.
“Public safety is of the utmost importance and it is our priority to ensure the safety of area residents, visitors, event staff and police officers,” said Saskatchewan RCMP in a release.
“Our goal is to ensure the safety of everyone attending Country Thunder this year, and to make this year a safe and positive event.”
For police assistance in a nonlife threatening situation, RCMP ask people to call 310-RCMP and provide their location, being as specific as possible, a meet-up location if necessary, their contact information, and as many other details as possible.