2023 had highest number of drug-poisoning deaths of any June on record: Alberta Health data
Newly released data from Alberta's health ministry shows that 161 people died from drug poisonings in June of this year — the highest number of deaths of any June on record and up by 39 deaths compared to the same month last year.
When comparing deaths in the first six months of the year, 2023 has had the most with 990, while last year had the second highest total with 894. That is a 11 per cent increase.
There were five fewer deaths in June compared to May, which had 166 deaths.
The highest months on record were November 2021 and April 2023, which each had 192 deaths.
The year with the most deaths on record in Alberta was 2021 with 1,864.
WHICH DEMOGRAPHICS?
Of the 990 deaths in the first six months of 2023, 68 per cent of them were males and 32 per cent females.
The age group most affected were those in the 35-39 range, accounting for 175 of the deaths, followed by those aged 30-34 with 156 deaths.
- Police in Edmonton, Red Deer find increased use of animal tranquilizer in local drug supplies
- More than 1,600 Albertans died from drug-poisoning deaths in 2022: provincial data
- Alberta hits record number of opioid-related EMS calls, half of them in Edmonton
WHICH SUBSTANCES?
Of the 161 deaths in June, only three per cent did not involve opioids.
According to the Alberta substance use surveillance system, when looking at this year's mortality data on 364 deaths, 78 per cent involved fentanyl, 58 per cent involved methamphetamine, 16 per cent had cocaine, and 13 per cent had carfentanil present.
The data suggests that, compared to last year, the presence of methamphetamine and fentanyl are quite similar, while cocaine is down by eight per cent and carfentanil is down by 13 per cent. It is important to note that these values will change throughout the year as more mortality data is added.
WHERE IS IT HAPPENING?
Forty-two per cent of the deaths in June occurred in Calgary, 30 per cent in Edmonton, and the remainder throughout the rest of Alberta.
The majority of opioid-poisoning deaths in the Edmonton Zone occurred in the person's own residence, accounting for 44 per cent in Q2 of 2023. That number went down by eight per cent when compared to the same quarter of 2022.
Thirty-five per cent of deaths in the Edmonton Zone occurred in public places, which is up 11 per cent compared to the same quarter last year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Oilers beat Stars, one win away from Stanley Cup berth
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two power-play goals as Edmonton smothered the Dallas Stars 3-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the NHL's Western Conference final on Friday.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Man convicted of killing Toronto cop in 1980 granted day parole
A man convicted of murdering a Toronto police officer more than four decades ago has been granted day parole for six months.