Advertisement

Edmonton doctors call on UCP to release timely opioid poisoning data

Click to play video: 'Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association raises concerns over province’s response to opioid crisis'
Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association raises concerns over province’s response to opioid crisis
The province announced a number of steps in December 2021 to try to combat the sharp increase in opioid-related poisoning deaths in Alberta, which the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association said was insufficient. Nicole Stillger reports – Dec 12, 2021

A group of Edmonton doctors is calling on the province to release timely data on opioid poisonings to better mobilize resources.

The Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association says it has twice requested local geographic data from the Alberta government on drug-related emergency services calls, overdoses and deaths.

The association says they sent letters to Health Minister Jason Copping last December and Associate Minister Mike Ellis of mental health and addictions in January with no response.

The province did not respond to a request for comment.

Story continues below advertisement

Alberta’s substance use surveillance dashboard was last updated in January, but it only includes details of overdose deaths until October 2021 and EMS responses by city until the end of January.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Drug poisoning deaths have hit all-time highs in Alberta as 2021 became the deadliest year on record, with two months of data yet to be released.

Edmonton physicians say there needs to be community-relevant data so that frontline workers and community organizations can reduce preventable deaths.

“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 mobilize 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.”

Click to play video: 'Harm reduction groups pull out of Alberta safe supply committee'
Harm reduction groups pull out of Alberta safe supply committee

Sponsored content

AdChoices