An Edmonton man who sold a mix of fentanyl and meth to a man who later died of an overdose says he is a victim of drug addiction himself.

A group gathered in Lethbridge on Thursday afternoon to show support for the Lethbridge Overdose Prevention Society and harm-reduction services in southern Alberta. 

Securing the 220 Simcoe St. location means that community partners can now apply to host a safe Consumptions and Treatment Services site there.

The suit, launched in August 2018, names more than 40 manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of opioids in Canada.

The lawsuits, if approved in California Superior Court, would prevent the alleged dealers from entering a 50-block area in one neighbourhood and part of another.

The province's COVID-19 Opioid Response Surveillance Report was released on Wednesday, shining a light on some alarming numbers from the first half of 2020. 

On Aug. 31, ARCHES closed its doors -- no longer providing supervised consumption, needle collection or any of its numerous outreach services in Lethbridge. 

Police say nearly three-quarters of a million dollars' worth of suspected fentanyl was seized.

According to the region's paramedic services, there have been 30 suspected overdose calls since Aug. 30.

A preliminary investigation indicates all three ingested a white powder, which police believe could have contained fentanyl or another toxic substance.