Calgary recovery advocates say demand is soaring even as drug-related deaths hit an all-time high.

The number of drug-related deaths is alarming, says Earl Thiessen, but the demand for recovery should provide some hope.

“People are focusing on overdoses, which clearly needs attention,” said Thiessen, executive director of Oxford House.

“But the number of people applying for treatment, for pretreatment, for housing… our pretreatment shelter is always full.”

Figures released last week showed 2,051 people died of drug overdoses in 2023, the highest ever recorded.

Of these, 1,867 were from opioids.

Thiessen says more support is still needed.

“What's really needed now, I think, is medical detox,” he said.

“It's scary to give up pharmaceuticals. I've been through it, and it scares a lot of people out of recovery.”

Triston Big Bull will enter treatment for his addiction later this week.

He is currently in a pre-rehab facility where he will receive ongoing support to stay sober.

He says that there is a clear understanding of the danger of death on the street.

“It's just a cycle and it never ends and people are dying on the streets to my left and to my right and overdoses are happening,” Big Bull said.

“It's crazy how it happened.”

He hopes others will see his early success and make a difference.

“It's never too late to change your life and want a better life,” said Big Bull.

“Don't be too hard on yourself, you know, because a lot of people are really hard on themselves and that doesn't help the situation.”

Thiessen agrees.

“You have to find a way to move forward, right? That's what it's all about,” he said.

“I found myself, one by reconnecting with the culture of the indigenous peoples and two by forgiving those who hurt me … Not for them. For me”.