Opioid deaths drop in Alberta, provincial data indicates
The Alberta government says it is "cautiously optimistic" about new numbers on the province's opioid-related overdose deaths released this week.
Associate Minister of Mental Health and Wellness Mike Ellis announced Wednesday that there were 113 opioid-related deaths in Alberta in April, seven per cent lower than in March and 34 per cent lower than the province's peak in November 2021.
Ellis says the data comes as the province is continuing in its efforts for treatment and recovery for Albertans who are addicted to opioids.
"This includes funding more treatment spaces, breaking down financial barriers to treatment and creating a collaborative, seamless system that benefits all Albertans who need help," he said.
"We are also supporting harm reduction initiatives like the Digital Overdose Response System, a mobile app that provides emergency medical response to anyone who overdoses while using alone that is now available province wide."
The statistics are also being released after news of a $150 million settlement from Purdue Pharma Canada, the manufacturer of opioid-based pain medication, with all of Canada's provinces and territories.
The B.C.-based lawsuit was launched in 2018 against more than 40 drug companies with the goal of recovering health-care costs.
British Columbia Attorney General David Eby called it the largest settlement of a government health-care cost claim in Canadian history.
He added the money will be put toward programs created to fight the opioid epidemic.
While there are no details on how much of the settlement money will come to Alberta, Eliis said the province remains in a "crisis."
"We support this proposed settlement and will continue to cooperate with Purdue Canada in the months to come," he said in a statement.
"The roots of the crisis began years ago, with the high rate of opioid prescriptions for acute and chronic pain. Many of these drugs were diverted into our communities, ending up in the hands of people who would later suffer from addiction."
Ellis says the goverment's goal continues to be to offer Albertans with addictions an opportunity to recover.
(With files from The Canadian Press)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What's a Barnacle? It's yellow, sticks and screams if you try to pry it off your car
Barnacles, bright yellow devices used to make sure parking scofflaws pay their tickets, could soon be making their way to cities across Canada.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
A Nigerian chess champion plays the royal game for 60 hours - a new global chess record
A Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate played chess nonstop for 60 hours in New York City's Times Square to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.