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Opioid-related deaths continue to increase

A report from the Alberta government shows the number of deaths related to apparent accidental opioid poisoning increased in the first three quarters of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017.

Data shows that there were 523 deaths in the province between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2018, up from 482 the year before. Eight of last year’s deaths were reported in the Wood Buffalo region.

While there is an increase, the report says it “appears to have slowed” and non-fentanyl opioid deaths have decreased, suggesting overdose deaths may be plateauing.

Of the apparent accidental poisoning deaths related to fentanyl, 87 per cent happened in larger urban municipalities, including Fort McMurray and at least one other substance was listed as contributing to death in 77 per cent.

Cases where heroin was listed as contributing to death decreased from 24 per cent in 2016, to 5 per cent in 2018. Meth was 1.4 times higher during the same period.

The province also reported 15 residents had opioid-related emergency visits in our region in the first three quarters of last year.

From the first quarter of 2015 to the second quarter of 2018, the rate of emergency department visits related to opioids or other drug use increased by 66.3 per cent.

While the number of hospitalizations in the region for neonatal opioid withdrawal symptoms was too low to confirm “for confidentiality reasons”, Mike Brown, cabinet communications coordinator with the Alberta government said pregnant women are given top priority for treatment of opioid dependency.

Fort McMurray’s opioid dependency treatment clinic was expanded in 2018 to give patients in rural areas care through telehealth.

“The Fort McMurray opioid dependency treatment clinic opened in 2016 and was expanded early last year. The clinic can provide treatment for 300 people per year. With 72 people currently receiving treatment through this clinic, it continues to accept new patients weekly.”

When a baby is born with withdrawal symptoms, NICU staff will monitor and may give fluids, oxygen and medicine to help ease the discomfort of symptoms.

On average two Albertans die every day from apparent accidental opioid poisoning.