Local opioid overdose deaths fall some but still on record pace
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on September 27, 2023.
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Deaths from opioid overdoses and drug poisonings in Medicine Hat fell during June, but remained on pace to reach a new high in 2023. The latest data from the Alberta drug surveillance program notes three fatal incidents during that month, down from six in May, but bringing the six-month total in Medicine Hat to 21. That’s six more than at June 30 in 2021. A total of 36 deaths that year were related to use of fentanyl and other non-pharmaceutical opioids. If the current trend is maintains, about 42 deaths would be recorded by the end of the year. A total of 15 fatalities were recorded locally in 2022. The number of deaths in the province so far in 2023 totalled 937 at June 30. Calgary’s monthly figure remained steady at 63 in June, while Edmonton’s rose slightly to 48. Lethbridge recorded its 81st drug fatality of the year in June 2023, bringing it over the 2022 whole year total of 78. Red Deer had 27 through six months, compared to 45 in all of 2022. Fort McMurray, with 14 to date, will likely also eclipse last year’s total of 17 by year end. 8-7
