The Edmonton Sun reports that the number of substance-abuse related deaths in Alberta (not including suicide) has risen over 100% in 10 years. Alberta’s population has only risen by 13%. That’s a big difference. Teen Challenge responds.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal published a study from the University of Toronto December 7 on opioid-related deaths in Ontario. Those numbers are shocking people.

In Alberta, the number of deaths in 2008 in which opioids were found in the victim's bloodstream was 182 -- a figure that study author Dr. Irfan Dhalla found alarming when compared to the Ontario figure of 300. "Alberta's population is 30% of Ontario's ... it would suggest the problem in Alberta is even greater than in Ontario," said the Toronto physician. [From the Edmonton Sun – see article below]

Many people use these drugs legitimately, but these opioids are very powerful and very addictive. Opioids are created in a lab to mimic the effects of substances derived from the opium poppy such as morphine.

If you, or someone you know, are legitimately taking these drugs — take precautions. Keep yourself accountable to others and safely dispose of unused portions immediately. Never mix or combine drugs (prescription or otherwise) without a doctor’s consent and abstain from consuming alcohol. As a society, we’ve learned to take a pill to fix every hurt and many illnesses, even to avoid getting sick. Let’s be sure to send a positive message about using drugs and prescriptions responsibly to our children.

Read the article here.

Alberta drug and alcohol deaths have doubled in the past decade

CALGARY -- The number of recorded drug and alcohol deaths in Alberta has more than doubled in the past decade, says the province's chief medical examiner.

From 1998 to 2008, Alberta's population has grown by only 13% while the annual number of non-suicide deaths attributable to intoxicants has leaped to 437 from 210.

Kim Borden, research officer with the chief medical examiner's office, was at a loss to explain why the number would so far exceed the province's population increase.

"But I do know drugs and drug-related deaths are a huge problem -- it's right up there with car crash fatalities," she said. "It's growing every year."

The figures come on the heels of a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal stating the number of opiate-related deaths in Ontario -- most of them through powerful prescription drugs -- has doubled over two decades.

From 1999 to 2004, it found the figure had jumped by 41% -- much of it propelled by access to potent painkillers like Oxycontin.

In Alberta, the number of deaths in 2008 in which opioids were found in the victim's bloodstream was 182 -- a figure that study author Dr. Irfan Dhalla found alarming when compared to the Ontario figure of 300.

"Alberta's population is 30% of Ontario's ... it would suggest the problem in Alberta is even greater than in Ontario," said the Toronto physician.

And he said the figures for deaths caused by drugs are likely much higher because the number of autopsies are so limited.

"Drug-related deaths are much more likely to occur from prescription drugs than heroin," he said.

"It's a major, major problem -- we really need to evaluate how easy it is to prescribe these drugs."

Many of the prescription drug deaths occur when they're mixed with alcohol or other pills, he added.

Find the article here.