More than 1,400 Albertans died from drug-poisoning deaths in 2022: provincial data
CTV
While there were more drug-poisoning deaths in Alberta until December last year than in 2020, deaths remain lower than 2021's record-breaking 1,842.
While there were more drug-poisoning deaths in Alberta until December last year than in 2020, deaths remain lower than 2021's record-breaking 1,842.
According to the latest data released by the province, 366 Albertans died from drug poisoning deaths between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30, 2022, bringing the year’s total to 1,443, with only December’s data outstanding.
Of the 366 new deaths, 116 occurred in September, 127 in October, and 123 in November. All but four per cent of the fatalities involved opioids.
According to the Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System (ASUSS), 114 of the deaths were in Calgary, 149 were in Edmonton, while the other 103 were in other parts of the province.
December’s data has not been released, but without it added to the total, 2022 had more deaths with 1,443 than the 1,387 in 2020 meaning it could become the year with the second-highest number of drug-related deaths on record.
The year 2021 had the highest number of deaths at 1,842, which on average is five deaths a day.
The majority of people who died in Alberta of drug poisoning in 2022 were men between the ages of 30 to 44, the data shows, making up a third of the total.
