Просмотр новости
Найдите то, что Вас интересует
Спутники
РН
SpaceX
Роскосмос
NASA
Alberta records highest number of opioid-related EMS calls as potent drug supply complicates overdose responses
Дата публикации: 06-08-2026 20:35:18
"I'm getting concerns from patients that are worried about the drug supply themselves and this is very different than what we've seen before"
Основное содержимое страницы с новостью.
"I'm getting concerns from patients that are worried about the drug supply themselves and this is very different than what we've seen before"
Published Aug 06, 2026 • Last updated 1 week ago • 3 minute read
A woman under the influence of fentanyl or carfentanil in Edmonton's underground pedway system on Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by David Bloom /PostmediaAlberta’s toxic drug supply is putting a strain on the system with the province seeing a record number of emergency medical services (EMS) responses to opioid-related events in 2025.
Article content
Dr. Monty Ghosh, an addictions physician and associate professor at the University of Alberta, said he’s seen a shift in Edmonton and Calgary’s drug supply which are constantly evolving. He said due to the presence of new substances such as cychlorphine, part of a new class of opioids called orphines which could be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl, it makes it more difficult to treat patients.
Article content
Recommended VideosArticle content
“We’re constantly evolving our protocols. We’re trialling and erroring a bunch of different protocols because we don’t know what protocol is right and what’s not,” Ghosh said.
“We’re doing medicine on the fly, in some respects, to manage and mitigate some of these concerns.”
Ghosh said health care-professionals will often treat an individual for multiple substance withdrawals instead of just one — each withdrawal has its own protocol — which is especially difficult to manage when it comes to an outpatient-based settings.
Article content
In 2025 EMS responded to 10,562 opioid-related incidents across Alberta — the highest to date. Edmonton made up nearly 70 per cent of those responses.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Article content
Ghosh said it is important to note the drug supplies differ in each jurisdiction. While both of Alberta’s major cities are seeing similar drugs, Edmonton has become the “hottest spot” in Canada when it comes to overdose rates and mortality events, he said.
According to the province’s substance use dashboard, carfentanil, which is more than 100 times stronger than fentanyl, was prevalent in 89 per cent of the 2025 opioid-related deaths in Edmonton. In 2024, carfentanil was only recorded in 17 per cent of deaths.
In Calgary, carfentanil was only reported in 28 per cent of opioid-related deaths in 2025 — and one per cent in 2024.
The province has shut down several supervised-consumption sites across the province including one at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in central Edmonton. Ghosh said addiction treatment requires a spectrum of treatment and shutting down these sites will cause a spike in EMS callouts and hospitalizations.
Ghosh said it also isn’t uncommon for repeat users to come back to the emergency room.
Article content
“I’m getting concerns from patients that are worried about the drug supply themselves and this is very different than what we’ve seen before,” Ghosh said.
In 2025 there were 12,812 substance-related emergency department visits, compared to the 10,957 reported in 2024.
From Jan. 1 to March 31, 53 per cent of individuals who died from non-pharmaceutical opioids accessed health services such as seeing a physician, emergency department visit or inpatient within 30 days of their death. Of them, 17 per cent went to the emergency department for opioids at least once.
In comparison, 80 per cent of individuals who died from pharmaceutical opioids such as codeine, hydromorphone and methadone, accessed health services within 30 days of their death. Of them, 40 per cent had a substance use-related emergency department visit and 60 per cent had a substance-related visit.
Opioid-related deaths have been trending downward with Alberta recording 1,154 deaths in 2025 — the lowest since 2019.
Article content
In a statement to Postmedia, Nathaniel Dueck, press secretary to the ministry of mental health and addiction, acknowledged the prevalence of carfentanil in Edmonton and said the province is making investments to support addiction treatment.
“No community is being hit harder by addiction and opioid harm than Edmonton,” Dueck said.
“Addiction is a treatable illness, and Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring people can access the supports and services they need.”
The province has invested more than $30 million for addiction and mental health supports in Edmonton, including adding more than 400 treatment and stabilization beds. The Virtual Opioid Dependency Program is also accessible to provide same-day access to addiction treatment medication.
Read More
You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
Article content
Схожие новости
Классификация: Сибирь. Схожих патентов: 0. Схожих новостей: 10. Тональность: 0. Информативность: 11.47. Источник: www.dailyheraldtribune.com.