In light of two recent deaths and an increase in the amount of fentanyl making its way through the province recently, the Saskatchewan Coroners Service took the extra step yesterday of releasing a province-wide press release.

In it, they urge the public to be aware of the dangers of illicit street drugs.

The two deaths which prompted the press release were both in Regina and are both under active investigation. However preliminary toxicology indicates that both had lethal levels of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine in their system.

Both drugs have been increasingly popular in and around the southwest, with RCMP seizing 3100 doses of Fentanyl in December and 1700 doses of Methamphetamine earlier this month.

Chief Coroner Clive Weighill stresses the very well known dangers of combining both drugs.

"We know that this can be a fatal combination and that anyone who uses street drugs is at risk of an overdose."

Since January 1, 2020, Regina alone reported 67 non-fatal overdoses in addition to the two deaths that are currently under investigation.

Saskatchewan residents who are at risk of an opioid overdose and their support persons are eligible for a take-home Naloxone kit and training on how to use it by visiting www.saskatchewan.ca/opiods or by calling HealthLine 811.

Doctors warn, however, that while Naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose temporarily, it does not replace the need to seek immediate medical attention and should not be used as an alternative to calling 911.