2023 was Calgary's deadliest year for drug-related deaths

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Calgary set a new record for the number of deaths from toxic drugs in 2023 with 629 deaths, an average of nearly two deaths per day.

December's death toll confirmed what many expected: 2023's numbers will surpass 2021, previously considered the deadliest for such deaths.

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According to data provided by the Alberta government, fentanyl was the main culprit in the death. This substance was found in more than 93 percent of cases. Methamphetamine, which accounts for two-thirds of fatal overdoses, is far behind.

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Most of the dead were men, most of them aged between 25 and 49. However, the proportion of women who die from overdoses is increasing and will reach an estimated 32 percent in 2023, up from 24 percent three years ago.

People are dying of overdoses in public places. More than 36 percent of users lost their lives on the streets in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 22 in the same period last year. And the proportion of people who overdosed at their residence has sharply decreased.

Provincial data also shows the toxic drug killed 41 people in January and 35 in February, a slight decrease in the number of deaths each year from 2023.

The death follows a crackdown on harm reduction services, which advocates say are critical to preventing such deaths.

At their annual general meeting, UCP members voted in favor of a resolution calling on the current government to end provincial funding for supervised consumption facilities where people can access clean equipment and services, including drug testing technology that allows users to test for drug content. their drugs.

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Hunter Baril, a spokesperson for the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, told Postmedia in February that the province is seeing a “significant” drop in deaths through Alberta's recovery model.

“Opioid addiction is not Alberta's only problem, as we experience significant harm as a result of addiction to other substances, including alcohol and cocaine,” said Baril.

“While opioids are a concern, it's important to note that deaths from prescription drugs are at an all-time low, alcohol-related deaths are at an all-time low, and cocaine-related deaths are at an all-time low. history,” said Baril.

Janet Eremenko, the Alberta NDP's mental health and addictions critic, criticized the UCP's drug addiction measures, saying, “It's not good enough. I was upset and very sad because it didn't have to be like this.

“This is a public health crisis and it's time for this government to act,” he said. “For five months, UCP withheld this data from Albertans. They hid those numbers during the legislative process and poured Albertan money into their narrow view of drug addiction.”

— With files from Cindy Tran

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