SaskatchewanAfter conducting tests on street substances, Saskatoon Prairie Harm Reduction has discovered dangerous substances warranting a drug alert. Fentanyl, Benzodiazepines discovered by Prairie Harm ReductionAlex Kozroski · CBC News · Posted: Nov 07, 2025 8:56 AM EST | Last Updated: 3 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Prairie Harm Reduction, Saskatoon’s safe consumption site reported the drugs as highly dangerous. (Chanss Lagaden/CBC) (Chanss Lagaden/CBC)After conducting tests on street substances, Saskatoon Prairie Harm Reduction has discovered dangerous substances warranting a drug alert. Issued last night, the Ministry of Health’s alert said the drugs put users at a particularly high risk of overdose and death. Tests came back showing the drugs to contain para-fluorofentanyl, fentanyl, and benzodiazepines. Also discovered was medetomidine, which is a sedative found in veterinary anesthetic medication.The drugs tested could be smoked or injected, and were in the form of fine, gravel-like coloured chunks.A large area surrounding Saskatoon had been issued a drug alert after the discovery of a potentially deadly substance mixture. (Government of Saskatchewan/Alertable)The alert indicates Naloxone can prevent overdose with opioids, but won’t reverse any effects of benzodiazepines or medetomidine. Naloxone works by competing with drugs like fentanyl to take over the opioid receptors, even blocking and displacing previously bound opioids. This won’t affect non-opioid drugs, however. Medetomidine inhibits the release of norepinephrine, and benzodiazepines affect the main inhibitory neurotransmitter. By mixing the forms of drugs, it creates a much higher chance of overdose or even death, with fewer ways to treat or prevent it.The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health says the alert will remain in effect until Nov. 13.To reduce the risk of overdoses, the Ministry of Health suggests getting a take-home naloxone kit, and calling the National Overdose Response Service if you are alone. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects those who seek out emergency help during an overdose or those who witness an overdose. ABOUT THE AUTHORAlex Kozroski is a reporter with CBC News in Regina. He has also worked as a reporter for Golden West Broadcasting in Swift Current, Sask.
Drug alert issued for Saskatoon area after test finds potentially deadly mixture
