According to the provincial government, 98 people in Alberta died from an opioid overdose in June 2022 — a 20% decrease over May and a 44% decrease compared to November 2021, when the number of deaths peaked. In BC, 146 people died in June compared with a peak of 212 in January, which equates to a 31% drop.
Source: CBC News, Calgary
The opioid crisis is still a reality, and it is critical to continue raising awareness and education.
Opioids are drugs with pain-relieving properties. Sometimes they induce euphoria (feeling high), which can increase the risk of people using them improperly
Legal opioids are prescribed by a health care professional most often to treat pain from conditions such as injuries, surgery, dental procedures, or long-term chronic pain.
Examples include: • Codeine • Fentanyl • Morphine • Oxycodone • Hydromorphone • Medical heroin
They can also be produced or obtained illegally, including opioids given to you by someone who is not your health care provider or street drugs from a drug dealer.
Opioid poisoning can happen any time and to anyone: a colleague, friend or loved one.
Opioids affect the part of your brain that controls your breathing.
Nearly 27,000 opioid-related deaths, most of which were accidental, were reported between January 2016 and September 2021.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) | Opioids in the Workplace