Calgary recovery advocates say demand is up – even as drug-related deaths hit all-time high
CTV
The number of drug-related deaths is awful, says Earl Thiessen, but the demand for recovery should offer some hope.
The number of drug-related deaths is awful, says Earl Thiessen, but the demand for recovery should offer some hope.
"People are focusing on the overdoses, which obviously needs attention," said Thiessen, executive director of Oxford House.
"But the amount of people that are applying for treatment, pre-treatment, housing ... our pre-treatment housing is full constantly."
Numbers released last week showed 2,051 people died from drug overdoses in 2023 – the highest number ever recorded.
Of those, 1,867 were from opioids.
Thiessen says more support is still needed.
"What's really needed right now, in my opinion, is more medical detox," he said.
