Number of fentanyl overdose deaths in Alberta last year have surpassed 2017 total: report
EDMONTON, AB — Approximately 13 Albertans a week died from fentanyl overdoses in 2018, according to a new report released by Alberta Health on Friday.
The interim fourth quarter Alberta Opioid Response Surveillance Report was released on Friday, and revealed from January 1 to November 11, 2018, a total of 582 individuals died from an apparent accidental fentanyl overdose, up from 463 people in the same time period in 2017, and surpassed last year’s total of 566.
The Calgary Zone led the province in the number of deaths, with 271 deaths reported. The South Zone, which includes Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, reported 43 deaths.
In 2017, the province averaged 11 deaths per week due to fentanyl.