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Edmonton physicians call on province for more timely drug poisoning data

Prescription pills containing oxycodone and acetaminophen are shown on June 20, 2012. How governments fund the country's fight against the opioid crisis may contribute to "a lack of progress" on the issue, says newly disclosed documents that probe an alternative financing model eyed by Health Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

A group of Edmonton doctors is calling on the province to release recent data on opioid poisonings to more effectively utilise resources to assist those struggling with addiction.

The Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association mentioned they have twice requested relevant demographic information from the Alberta government on drug-related crisis service calls, overdoses and deaths.

As a plea, the association says they sent letters to Health Minister Jason Copping last December and again to Associate Minister Mike Ellis of mental health and addictions in January with no response. The province did not respond to a request for comment.

According to Alberta’s substance use surveillance dashboard, the most recent data on substance use in Alberta has been updated as of January. However, upon closer inspection, it only includes details of overdose deaths until October 2021 and EMS responses by the city until the end of January.


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Drug poisoning deaths have hit all-time highs in Alberta as 2021 become one of the deadliest years on record – despite two months of data yet to be released.

Edmonton doctors say there needs to be community-related data so that frontline workers and community organisations can reduce preventable deaths by becoming more well informed.

”It is imperative that this information be added to the publicly facing dashboard and by extension that it be provided in a timely manner,” says a statement from the association.

”This information helps mobilise the resources and efforts in the communities to reduce incidents of harm and death, ensuring that those working on the front lines of this effort can be where they need to be.”

With files from the Canadian Press