Edmonton region hits all-time monthly peak in opioid-related deaths

According to the latest government data, the Edmonton zone saw a record number of opioid-related deaths in March. Eighty-seven individuals lost their lives due to opioid drug poisoning, marking the highest number of fatalities in the region since tracking began in 2016.

Elaine Hyshka, Canada Research Chair in Health Systems Innovation at the University of Alberta School of Public Health, expressed deep concern over the spike in deaths. She emphasized that more should have been done to prevent this tragic outcome, especially considering that the province had seen a downward trend in fatal opioid poisonings since August 2023.

Hyshka highlighted a significant increase in calls to emergency medical services at the beginning of 2025 and suggested that a public warning should have been issued in response to this trend. She stressed the importance of alerting the public during periods of heightened overdose risk so that individuals can take necessary precautions.

The province, however, stated that EMS responses to opioid-related events had fluctuated in the first three months of 2025, with a concerning rise in the use of carfentanil. Nathaniel Dueck, press secretary for the ministry of mental health and addiction, acknowledged the increase in carfentanil-related deaths and assured that the situation was being closely monitored in collaboration with municipal partners.

Marliss Taylor, a harm reduction expert and registered nurse in Edmonton, echoed Hyshka’s sentiments and emphasized the need for additional services during such critical times. Taylor pointed to factors such as the influx of carfentanil, adulterants in the drug supply, and disruptions in the supply chain due to major drug busts as contributing to the spike in deaths.

Furthermore, Taylor noted that the removal of encampments and a decrease in frontline workers have led to more individuals using substances in isolated environments, exacerbating the overdose crisis. She emphasized the importance of having sufficient overdose response teams and outreach workers available to support the community.

While the province reported a provincial increase in opioid-related deaths in March 2025, Dueck clarified that Edmonton accounted for the majority of this rise. He highlighted the province’s efforts to address the addiction crisis, including the establishment of recovery communities and the expansion of publicly funded treatment spaces.

In response to the escalating crisis, Alberta has taken steps to enhance its addiction treatment and support services, including the removal of daily user fees for residential treatment. The province remains committed to addressing the opioid crisis and ensuring that individuals receive the care and support they need to overcome addiction.