Skip to Main content

7°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jun 28, 2023 6:51 PM - The Canadian Press

Alberta marks deadliest month for overdose deaths in April

Share On

alberta-marks-deadliest-month-for-overdose-deaths-in-april

The latest provincial data, which was released on Monday, shows 179 people died from drug poisoning in April, making it the month with the highest-ever opioid deaths recorded in Alberta.

Experts say Alberta's model for combating drug poisoning in the province is not working as opioid-related deaths reached an all-time high this April.

The latest provincial data, which was released on Monday, shows 179 people died from drug poisoning in April, making it the month with the highest-ever opioid deaths recorded in Alberta.

Elaine Hyshka, who is the Canada Research Chair in health systems innovation, says the latest numbers suggest that the province might be on track for the worst year yet.

Hyshka says the increased number of overdoses shows the illegal supply of drugs in Alberta is highly toxic.

She says the Alberta government should consider providing pharmaceutical-grade alternatives to illegal drug supply while also offering access to harm reduction.

Mental Health and Addiction Minister Dan Williams says it is clear from the data that more needs to be done to address the addiction crisis.

He says investing in recovery is not a choice that the government is making but it is their moral obligation to allow for better futures for those suffering.

Latest news

six-more-ucp-mlas-face-recall-efforts-raising-questions-about-government-majority

AlbertaNov 24, 2025

Six more UCP MLAs face recall efforts, raising questions about government majority

Six additional members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative caucus are now the subject of recall petitions, according to Elections Alberta, marking a significant expansion of efforts to challenge sitting government lawmakers. The new approvals bring the total number of UCP MLAs under recall to nine. The most recent petitions target four cabinet ministers – Rajan Sawhney, Myles McDougall, Dale Nally and RJ Sigurdson – along with House Speaker Ric McIver and Associate Minister for Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen. Earlier this month, petitions were authorized against Education M

migrant-advocates-urge-federal-government-to-withdraw-proposed-border-security-law

CanadaNov 24, 2025

Migrant advocates urge federal government to withdraw proposed border security law

Migrant rights organizations are urging the federal government to abandon Bill C-12, legislation they warn could severely limit access to Canada’s refugee system. The proposed border security bill is currently before House of Commons committees, with clause-by-clause review scheduled at the national security committee this week. The bill features several significant changes to immigration and asylum procedures, including a provision that would prevent people who have lived in Canada for more than a year from submitting a refugee claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Groups working with

woman-injured-after-shots-fired-at-surrey-home-under-police-investigation

CanadaNov 24, 2025

Woman injured after shots fired at Surrey home under police investigation

Surrey Police Service is examining a neighbourhood in the city’s north end after a woman was hurt in a shooting outside a home late Sunday night. Officers were called around 9:11 p.m. to the 12100 block of 101B Avenue following reports of gunfire near the residence. Police say the woman, who was inside the home at the time, was taken to hospital with injuries that are not considered life threatening. Several other people were present but were not harmed. Investigators remained on site through Monday to review physical evidence and gather any available security footage. SPS reports that the m

search-continues-for-grizzly-after-bella-coola-school-group-attacked-nuxalk-nation-raises-support-funds

Search continues for grizzly after Bella Coola school group attacked, Nuxalk Nation raises support funds

British Columbia conservation officers say they are continuing to search the Bella Coola Valley for the grizzly bear involved in a sudden attack on an elementary school group last week. Three students and a teacher were hospitalized on Thursday after the bear charged a group of about 20 people who had stopped for lunch during a field trip. Officials now believe the incident likely involved a mother grizzly with two cubs, a situation that can increase defensive behaviour. Conservation officers have placed traps in the area and are urging residents and visitors to avoid nearby forested trails wh

snowfall-warning-in-southeastern-b-c-as-weekend-storm-drenches-south-coast

Snowfall warning in southeastern B.C. as weekend storm drenches south coast

Environment Canada is cautioning travellers in southeastern British Columbia as a winter storm brings up to 20 centimetres of snow to the Elk Valley region near the Alberta border. The agency says the heaviest bands are expected around Fernie, with conditions easing later this evening as the system moves east. The advisory stretches across Alberta’s southern boundary with the United States and into parts of southern Saskatchewan. The weather office says the snowfall is tied to a low-pressure system tracking across the Prairies, creating challenging conditions on highways frequently used by t

Related News

Six more UCP MLAs face recall efforts, raising questions about government majority

Six more UCP MLAs face recall efforts, raising questions about government majority

Six additional members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative caucus are now the subject of recall petitions, according to Elections Alberta, marking a significant expansion of efforts to challenge sitting government lawmakers. The new approvals bring the total number of UCP MLAs under recall to nine. The most recent petitions target four cabinet ministers – Rajan Sawhney, Myles McDougall, Dale Nally and RJ Sigurdson – along with House Speaker Ric McIver and Associate Minister for Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen. Earlier this month, petitions were authorized against Education M

Alberta auditor says failed lab privatization left public with $109 million bill

Alberta auditor says failed lab privatization left public with $109 million bill

Alberta’s auditor general says the province’s attempt to shift community lab testing to a private operator resulted in significant financial losses and gaps in government oversight. A new report from Auditor General Doug Wylie estimates taxpayers absorbed roughly $109 million after the privatization effort collapsed. Wylie’s review found that senior officials in government advanced the plan despite internal warnings that the projected savings were unlikely. He says weaknesses in record keeping, financial analysis and contract oversight contributed to the breakdown of the agreement with D

Albertans choose Banff’s Moraine Lake for upcoming Strong and Free licence plate

Albertans choose Banff’s Moraine Lake for upcoming Strong and Free licence plate

Alberta’s next generation of licence plates will feature one of the province’s most recognizable mountain landscapes after residents selected Moraine Lake as the new image. The provincial government said more than 240,000 people participated in an online vote, making this the first major redesign of the plate in more than four decades. The change follows the government’s earlier decision to retire the long standing Wild Rose Country slogan and replace it with Strong and Free, a phrase drawn from Alberta’s official motto and referenced in Canada’s national anthem. Officials say the up

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital