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Fentanyl overdose deaths in Alberta last year surpass 2017 total

Feb 2, 2019 | 8:09 AM

EDMONTON, AB — Approximately 13 Albertans a week died from fentanyl overdoses in 2018, according to a new report released by Alberta Health on Friday.

The interim fourth quarter Alberta Opioid Response Surveillance Report was released on Friday, and revealed from January 1 to November 11, 2018, a total of 582 individuals died from an apparent accidental fentanyl overdose, up from 463 people in the same time period in 2017, and surpassed last year’s total of 566.

The Calgary Zone led the province in the number of deaths, with 271 deaths reported. The South Zone, which includes Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, reported 43 deaths.

In 2017, the province averaged 11 deaths per week due to fentanyl.

The report also reports the number of apparent accidental carfentanil overdoses is up to 149 people in Alberta from January 1 to November 11, 2018. During the same time period in 2017, 116 deaths were reported.

A total of 90 deaths from carfentanil have been reported in Calgary, while 17 deaths were reported in the South Zone. The South Zone, according to the report, has the highest rate of carfentanil related deaths per 100,000 people, and 6.4 per cent. Calgary’s rate of carfentanil related deaths per 100,000 people is 6.3 per cent.

The province’s quarterly opioid reports can be found on the Alberta Government website.