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Alberta on pace for worst year of opioid overdoses in people under 25

Last Updated Jun 17, 2021 at 2:24 pm MDT

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — This year is looking like the worst year on record for opioid overdoses in people under 25.

Del Graff with Child and Youth Advocate Alberta issued a new report following up on his 2018 report, showing there were 95 deaths in 2020 and 22 deaths in the first two months of this year alone–which is the highest it’s been since 2017.

In the release, Graff says the grim reality is that young people are dying in even greater numbers today, than nearly three years ago.

He says some progress has been made on the five recommendations brought forward in the 2018 report, but they have not yet been met.

The group has brought forward new recommendations which ask the provincial government to establish a dedicated body such as a panel, committee, or commission to develop and support implementation of a youth opioid and substance use strategy.

660 NEWS reached out to the government regarding the concerning numbers, in which they responded:

“Every opioid-related death is one too many, and the deaths of the young people described in the youth advocate’s report are tragic examples of the continued impact addiction is having in Alberta.

Alberta’s Government has made significant progress to the recommendations that were made following the OCYA’s 2018 Into Focus Report.

We are pleased to see the OCYA is supporting a full continuum of care that spans prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery. Alberta’s government shares this commitment and will continue to focus on improving access to recovery for youth.

With respect to the recommendation to create a youth panel, as part of the Alberta’s transition to a recovery oriented system of care, the voices of youth and their families will be included. Details are still being worked out, and we will have more to say about the Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council’s work in the coming months.

Alberta’s government provided $21.4 million in April 2020 to improve the Mental Health Helpline, the Kids Help Phone, online resources, such as Togetherall, Jack.org’s Alberta COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub, and Alberta 211 during the pandemic.

Also, Budget 2021 includes $34 million for children’s health supports to expand addiction, mental health and recovery services for children and youth.”

–with files from Jeff Slack