By Hayley Ferguson

Opioid Crisis

2019 opioid overdose deaths on pace to decrease from previous year

Oct 16, 2019 | 5:24 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – The term ‘Opioid Crisis’ is a frequently used one in Alberta with over 1,800 individuals across the province dying from an accidental fentanyl poisoning since January 2016.

“I think that it’s really important for people to remember that opioid deaths happen across all socioeconomic statuses. They happen in the suburbs as well as in the inner cities,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health for Alberta Health. “Opioids don’t discriminate. Opioid deaths, addiction doesn’t discriminate.”

In 2016, Medicine Hat had two fentanyl-related deaths. In 2017 there were seven, and 2018 saw a record high of 12 deaths.

According to Alberta Health, for the first time in over three years, that raising number is on pace to change.

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As of June 30, there’s been four this year.

“It’s always good news when we have fewer deaths. I think that’s definitely something we can be grateful for,” Hinshaw said. “I think that still even the number of deaths that have happened, four deaths this year in Medicine Hat, that could have been prevented.”

As for non-fentanyl opioid deaths, there were four in 2018 and three in 2017.

In the first half of this year, there are none.

Even with those numbers going down, Mayor Ted Clugston says the city will continue to take the crisis just as seriously.

“It’s a concern for every community. It’s tearing many communities in Alberta apart. Even across this country,” Clugston said. “You see what’s going on in Lethbridge is absolutely tearing that community apart. Maybe not to the same scale here in Medicine Hat, but nobody wants to see our citizens dying.”

Hinshaw agreed with Clugston, saying numbers decreasing isn’t enough.

“Obviously that’s still a concern. And the family and friends of those who died obviously are suffering as a result. So I think well it is encouraging that the numbers are lower, we still have work to do.”

Hinshaw says she’s hopeful than something to help bring the numbers down is people calling for help earlier.

“They can call for help without fear of being prosecuted for minor offenses, she continued. “Sometimes people might feel that if there’s illicit drugs on the scene they can’t call for help because they might be afraid that the police might come. But it’s just a reminder that saving a life is the most important thing.”