Lethbridge, rest of Alberta see significant drop in overdose deaths in 2024

Alberta is on track to see its lowest number of overdose deaths since 2019, and Lethbridge saw the biggest drop among medium-sized to big cities.

Between January and October of last year, 1,144 people in Alberta died of a drug overdose, according to new data from the province.

The all-time high was 2,116 in 2023.

“We’re happy to see the drop in opioid deaths,” said Mental Health and Addictions Minister Dan Williams.

Lethbridge saw a much more noticeable decline.

The city saw 124 deaths from overdoses in 2023.

But in the first 10 months of 2024, there were just 41.

Lethbridge also no longer leads the province in overdose deaths per capita.

“Lethbridge has been a huge focus for us in the Alberta recovery model,” Williams said.

The province believes the Alberta recovery model is the driving force behind the sudden decline.

Building up capacity for treatment centres has been among the top priorities.

Lethbridge saw its recovery community open in 2023.

A new recovery community is expected to begin operation on the Blood Tribe next year.

“We’re seeing investments we’ve made in the Alberta recovery model pay off,” Williams said.

Harm reduction advocates are cautiously optimistic about the news.

While any drop in overdose deaths is good news, they believe there is still more work to be done.

“I’m not sure exactly what’s contributed to that reduction in numbers. I mean, they’re hopeful, and we’re optimistic, but we do want to approach this news cautiously. There are a lot of increases in other areas,” said Amber Jensen with Moms Stop the Harm.

Data from deaths in November and December of 2024 will be released in the coming months.