CHAT News File Photo

By Regan Tate

Five local deaths from january to april

Fewer lives lost to opioids in the province

Jun 29, 2022 | 2:23 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The provincial government says it is cautiously optimistic as opioid-related deaths declined again in April.

There were 113 opioid-related overdose deaths across Alberta, seven per cent lower than in March.

Overdose deaths peaked in November but since then have decreased by 34 per cent.

In Medicine Hat, there were two opioid-related deaths in April. That is up from March when no deaths were recorded. Between January and April of this year there have been five overdose deaths locally.

Lethbridge recorded a significant drop in April with one death related to opioids. There have been 28 deaths in that city since January.

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The data is available on the Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System.

Mike Ellis the associate minister of mental health and addictions says he is thankful for “the countless treatment professionals, outreach and harm reduction workers, EMS, police, corrections, doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to save people’s lives.”

“This is important work and we cannot do it alone. While this decrease is encouraging news, there are still too many people losing their lives to addiction. We must remain vigilant.”

Ellis says the province is continuing to build a recovery-oriented system of addiction and mental health care focused on increasing access to a continuum of services, from prevention and intervention to treatment and recovery.

This includes funding more treatment spaces, breaking down financial barriers to treatment and creating a collaborative, seamless system that benefits all Albertans who need help. We are also supporting harm reduction initiatives like the Digital Overdose Response System, a mobile app that provides emergency medical response to anyone who overdoses while using alone, that is now available province-wide.

Anyone needing help is encouraged to reach out. Call the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program to start treatment right away. Albertans can also contact 211 Alberta or visit recoveryaccessalberta.ca for information on resources and treatment options in their community.”