By CHAT News Today

Opioid deaths in first nine months of year up 40 per cent compared to last year

Nov 27, 2017 | 3:22 PM

EDMONTON — The opioid crisis continues to hit Alberta hard, according to a report released by Alberta Health on Monday.

According to the report, a total of 482 Albertans have died from accidental opioid overdoses from January to September this year. The number is up 40 per cent from this time last year, in which 346 people across the province had died.

The majority of the deaths from opioids this year have been as a result of fentanyl, with 400 deaths from the drug being reported in the province

Calgary and Edmonton have seen the majority of opioid-related deaths this year, with 81 per cent of the deaths recorded in those cities.

According to the report, five deaths have been attributed to opioid overdoses in Medicine Hat so far this year. Four of the deaths have been attributed to fentanyl.

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The report also adds the number of deaths from Carfentanil has also increased, with the drug being detected in 126 opioid overdose deaths this year.

The report adds that 27,690 naloxone kits have also been distributed across the province since January 1, 2016. According to the report, 40 per cent of the kits have been distributed from harm reduction agencies, with 34 per cent being distributed from community pharmacies.

The full report can be read here.