Last year was the deadliest yet in Red Deer and Central Alberta for opioid-related poisonings.
Red Deer lost 53 lives to opioid poisonings in 2023, and the Central Zone saw 128 deaths, according to the Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System, which includes data for December 2023.
Until now, 2018 was the worst year for Red Deer when 52 people died, and Central Alberta had the most fatalities in 2020 with 125.
Likewise, across Alberta, last year was the province's most tragic, with 1,867 deaths to surpass 1,639 in 2021.
Deaths appear to be on the decline so far in 2024. Statistics were only available for the first two months of the year, which show two deaths in Red Deer, 12 in Central Alberta, and 237 in Alberta.
Hunter Baril, press secretary with the Office of the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, said while the number of people losing their lives to addiction is concerning, the province is cautiously optimistic about the downward trend so far this year.
“The loss of any life is an absolute tragedy. We offer condolences to the families, loved ones, and communities of those who have been impacted by the addiction crisis," Baril said in a statement.
But February 2024 shows a 33 per cent decrease in fatalities compared to February 2023, and is the lowest number of all substance fatalities in nearly four years, he said.
Reed Charbonneau, executive director of Central Alberta's harm reduction agency Turning Point, said opioid deaths are closely tied to the potency of the supply which cannot be predicted.
"There's no way to measure, here in Central Alberta, how strong the drugs are so when there's an change people aren't prepared for it," Charbonneau said.
Charbonneau said last year at the end of October there was big disruption in the drug supply and a really potent supply took its place. Earlier this year the number of poisonings seemed to stabilize.
Baril said with a continued focus in building the Alberta Recovery Model, more people will access life-saving services to help them overcome the deadly disease of addiction.
"Our focus is on building a system of care that supports every person in their pursuit of recovery. In the past year, we have opened doors to two world-class treatment centres in Red Deer and Lethbridge. We are building nine more of these facilities, five of which are in direct partnership with Indigenous communities across the province."
There is also same-day access to life-saving treatment medication through the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program.
"This is what Albertans expect: a government that supports recovery, not the ongoing facilitation of addiction with failed policies adopted by other jurisdictions," Baril said.
Janet Eremenko, Alberta NDP Critic for Mental Health and Addictions, called the 2023 drug-related deaths devastating and a public health crisis, and it was time for the government to act accordingly.
"I urge the minister to step up with all the tools at his disposal to prevent more deaths. For all the UCP’s investment in the Alberta Recovery Model, Albertans have yet to see any positive results," Eremenko said in a statement.
“Despite these record-breaking figures, the UCP continues to double-down on their one-size-fits-all approach to addiction. It clearly is not good enough. I’m frustrated and deeply saddened because it doesn’t have to be this way."
She said for five months, the UCP has withheld this data from Albertans while introducing legislation and pouring Albertans’ money into their narrow approach to addiction.
"This is by far the worst year on record, and is three times the number of deaths since the UCP formed government in 2019.
"We need transparent and timely reporting, and we need a government that is willing to change course when faced with the heartbreaking reality of its current policies," Eremenko said.
Baril said the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is responsible for conducting toxicology scans and providing government with overdose fatality data.
"Data released for the month of December includes a full Q4 update, which means there is a significant amount of data that can take varying amounts of time to compile. (The Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System) will continue to provide the most accurate, up to date, and transparent information regarding the impacts of addiction."
Opioid poisonings remain the most frequent cause of drug poisoning deaths in the province.
In 2023, Red Deer saw a total of 58 deaths from any substance including opioids, Central Alberta had 144, and Alberta saw 2,051.