Opioid deaths in Alberta have reached their lowest level since before the pandemic, according to the province’s most recently released data on opioid-related fatalities in May.
In May, 18.4 Albertans per 100,000 people lost their lives to opioid use across the province. A lower rate was not seen since Feb. 2020, when 11.4 Albertans per 100,000 died from opioid poisoning. The World Health Organization declared the pandemic on Mar. 11, 2020.
In total, 72 Albertans died from opioid use in May 2024. Feb. 2020 saw 42 Albertans die from opioid use, spiking to 71 in Mar. 2020, 80 in Apr. 2020, and 128 in May 2020. The number of total deaths in the province did not fall below 100 in any month between May 2020 and Mar. 2024.
A spokesperson for Alberta’s Minister of Mental Health and Addiction said that Alberta has taken steps to engage with communities to assess the impact of drug consumption sites throughout the province.
“This is what led Alberta to be the first jurisdiction in Canada to establish recovery-oriented standards for drug consumption sites, making them much more accountable to government and community. There is ongoing work to ensure that wherever these services are, the community is protected,” said the spokesperson.
While the number of deaths fell below 100 in Apr. 2024 for the first time in four years, it dropped by nearly 22% from 92 to 72 between Apr. and May 2024. The most recent data shows a 55% decrease from the year prior in May 2023 and a 61% decrease from the peak number of 185 deaths in Apr. 2023.
Between Jan. and May 2024, 531 Albertans lost their lives to opioids, a 32.6% decrease compared to the same period in 2023 and a number lower than the same period in 2022 and 2021 as well.
Additionally, opioid-related EMS responses decreased by 53% between May 2023 and May 2024.
Alberta’s Minister for Mental Health and Addiction, Dan Williams, told True North that he is cautiously optimistic that the downward trend of opioid deaths will continue.
“Our government believes that for anyone suffering from the disease of addiction, recovery is possible. We are turning words into action and giving people an opportunity to pursue recovery,” said Williams. “While other jurisdictions continue with experimental policies, Alberta is focused on expanding access to the treatment and recovery services we know save lives.”
Williams said Alberta has opened three recovery communities, with eight more to come.
July’s previously released data showed that Edmonton was the Albertan municipality with the most opioid-related deaths despite showing an improvement. Edmonton remained the province’s municipality with the most opioid-related deaths in May but saw a 16% decrease from 37 to 31 deaths between Apr. and May 2024.
Calgary, the municipality with the most comparable population, saw opioid-related deaths fall 10% from 19 to 17.
The percentage of total drug deaths attributed to opioids was just over 88% between Jan. and May 2024, a slight decrease from 90% in 2023.
“My prayers are with the families and communities grieving the loss of a loved one to the disease of addiction,” said Williams.
Alberta has prioritized a recovery-based approach over so-called “safe supply,” which Alberta Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged led to safe supply drugs entering the illegal market.
