By Canadian Press

Edmonton physicians call on province for more timely drug poisoning data

Feb 8, 2022 | 8:45 AM

EDMONTON – A group of Edmonton doctors is calling on the province to release timely data on opioid poisonings to better mobilize resources.

The Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association says they have twice requested local geographic data from the Alberta government on drug-related emergency services calls, overdoses and deaths.

The association says they sent letters to Health Minister Jason Copping last December and Associate Minister Mike Ellis of mental health and addictions in January with no response.

The province did not respond to a request for comment.

Alberta’s substance use surveillance dashboard was last updated in January, but it only includes details of overdose deaths until October 2021 and EMS responses by city until the end of January.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2022.

The Canadian Press