A new report shows that drug overdose deaths fell in Lethbridge in 2024. (Moussa81 | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge overdose deaths fell 64% in 2024

Apr 15, 2025 | 3:33 PM

A new report shows that drug overdose deaths are continuing to trend in the right direction in Lethbridge.

The Government of Alberta has updated its substance use surveillance system report, which includes numbers up to the end of 2024.

It says a total of 41 people died due to drug consumption in Lethbridge last year, one of which occurred in December.

The number for the full year represents a 64 per cent decline from 2023’s record of 119 fatal overdoses. It is also the smallest number the city has seen since 2019.

In the South Health Zone, fentanyl was detected in the person’s body in 94 per cent of cases, while methamphetamine was present 70 per cent of the time.

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Nearly three-quarters of victims in Alberta were men and the most common age group was 30-35.

A new report shows that drug overdose deaths fell in Lethbridge in 2024. (Compiled by LNN. Source: Alberta Opioid Surveillance System)

The full report can be found on the Government of Alberta website.

While the declining number of overdose deaths in Lethbridge is encouraging, Mayor Blaine Hyggen says it remains a prevalent and high-priority issue.

He, along with 27 other Canadian mayors, are at a conference in Lethbridge this week to discuss strategies for tackling the opioid crisis. You can read more about it in the link below.

READ MORE: Canadian mayors collaborating on opioid crisis strategies in Lethbridge

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