A report from Saskatchewan’s provincial auditor says the health authority isn’t analyzing wait times for people seeking timely access to opioid addiction treatment across the province.
The report noted that the Saskatchewan Health Authority lacks sufficient tracking protocols to assess the effectiveness of its opioid addiction treatment services.
“The Authority does not analyze wait times at its clinics or supply and demand for opioid addiction treatment services across Saskatchewan,” the auditor said in a June 3 news release.
The findings come after the province activated an emergency response on March 12 following more than 300 reported overdoses in Saskatoon, saying there was a “toxic drug crisis” in the city.
Now, the provincial auditor said her team has found “errors and inconsistencies” in four of the Saskatchewan Health Authority opioid addictions programs located in four cities that were deemed “most active,” including Regina and Saskatoon.
Through its testing, it found that clients in Kamsack, a community 264 kilometres northeast of Regina, waited an average of four days before being contacted for an initial appointment. In Saskatoon, that number was 4.75 days, and in Regina it was 1.75 days.
The auditor said that good practice recommends clients wait no more than three days.
The report recommends the health authority implement “standardized approaches” to the opioid addictions programs to streamline treatment practices and improve data for decision making and resource allocations.
“Opioid abuse can devastate people, their families, and our communities,” said auditor Tara Clemett. “When clients experience waits to access treatment, it puts them at risk of relapse and not seeking treatment. Effectively delivering timely opioid addiction treatment services can reach those struggling with addiction, reduce the risk of overdose or death, and help address this public health crisis.”
Clemett made eight recommendations for the health authority in the report, including to clearly communicate opioid addiction treatment services available.
It was also recommended that Saskatchewan Health Authority analyze supply and demand for such treatment services so it can provide “timely treatment and effective use of resources.”
Clients with opioid use disorder should also be “consistently” offered appropriate medication during detox, the report said. This move would decrease risks such as relapse or illness, Clemett wrote.
The auditor also recommended that opioid withdrawal assessments always be completed before treatment or medication is offered to outpatient clients.
As well, discharge and transfer plans for inpatients need to be completed when they are receiving addictions treatment.
The health authority has been advised to implement standardized approaches for its opioid addiction treatment services.
In April, the Saskatchewan government introduced an amendment to legislation to categorize some drugs, such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, as “street weapons.” The bill was given Royal Assent on May 13.
Sask Addiction Plan
The Saskatchewan government said in April 2024 it was partnering with Alberta and Ontario to build recovery systems to treat addiction.Then-Mental Health and Addictions Minister Tim McLeod said the province’s action plan was to double capacity for addictions treatment.
