The drug disaster in Saskatoon is turning into an excessive amount of to deal with, as a number of group organizations have shut down as a result of overwhelming variety of overdoses.
On Friday, the town’s solely secure consumption website, Prairie Hurt Discount, introduced they might be quickly closing as a result of trauma from responding to all of the overdoses.
Most lately, Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) introduced they are going to quickly shut two libraries as a consequence of drug security considerations.
From March 23 to April 13, Frances Morrison Central Library and Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library will likely be closed.
“This has coincided with a dramatic improve in our metropolis’s inhabitants who’re experiencing homelessness and a speedy worsening of our group’s opioid poisoning disaster, making it tough for SPL to proceed offering secure and efficient library providers at these places,” the SPL mentioned in a launch Friday afternoon.
SPL mentioned they’ve responded to at the very least 48 overdoses or drug poisonings in 2025. The quantity is sort of double that of 2024 in the identical time interval.
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The Saskatchewan NDP are calling on the federal government to do higher.
“Public libraries and library employees shouldn’t be pressured to fill the function of therapy and care as a result of the Sask. Occasion is lacking in motion,” mentioned Betty Nippi-Albright, Saskatchewan NDP shadow minister for Psychological Well being & Addictions.
“The Sask. Occasion has had 18 years to forestall this psychological well being and addictions disaster – however as a substitute it’s getting worse by the day. Persons are dying on daily basis from these medicine, together with so many younger victims. That’s our future.”
The Saskatoon Fireplace Division mentioned they’ve responded to 696 overdose incidents since Jan. 1, 2025.
“The library can’t be the reply for the dearth of funding to different help providers. Having an open and welcoming area is essential to library employees however we additionally want secure workplaces,” mentioned Cara Stelmaschuk, a consultant with CUPE 2669, which represents over 250 workers who work at Saskatoon Public Libraries.
“They’ve been hit. They’ve been spit on and so they’ve been assaulted. They’ve seen different patrons assaulted within the library itself.”
The library mentioned it’s working to boost safety measures and supply coaching and wellness help for employees, however it doesn’t make up for the dearth of social and well being providers.
Addictions Minister Lori Carr instructed the meeting Monday the province is working with the town and the Saskatchewan Well being Authority.
She mentioned the province has additionally activated a provincial emergency operation centre. It’s to assist coordinate efforts between authorities ministries and organizations.
“We have to remind ourselves that no illicit use of medicine is secure,” Carr instructed the meeting.
“The present state of affairs in Saskatoon highlights the important want for restoration. That’s why we’re shifting to a recovery-oriented system of care.”
She mentioned the province is planning so as to add 500 therapy beds to assist these with addictions.
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