The government of Alberta confirms it will close down a contentious supervised drug consumption site in Calgary s Beltline and plans are in place to open two new sites in more appropriate locations.
DRUMHELLER, ALTA. The small valley town of Drumheller is still reeling, following the deaths of three young adults over the weekend from a suspected overdose. Mayor Heather Colberg says she knows the family of one of the victims, and says the community is mourning. “It’s affected us,” she said. “In our community (of) our size, somehow, some way, you’re connected to these people.” Colberg says the opioid crisis has had devastating impacts on many Alberta communities, including hers. “We need to get these drugs off the street and save our kids,” said Colberg. “And not just our kids, this is affecting any age, any class, it s affecting everybody.”
2020 year in review: January
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By Lethbridge Herald on December 29, 2020.
Herald file photo by Ian Martens
Contractors, Lethbridge police and members of the Alberta Sheriffs Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit work to shutter an alleged drug house Tuesday on the city s westside. @IMartensHerald
The Herald looks back to the stories that made headlines over the past year with a month by month series running through this week to the New Year:
JANUARY Lethbridge murder case featured on CBC show ‘The Detectives’ The successful investigation of a southern Alberta murder will be shown across the nation on an episode of CBC’s “The Detectives.”
By Jaryn Vecchio
Eight more people in Fort McMurray have died from an opioid-related death.
The government of Alberta released updated numbers last week highlighting a total of 443 deaths across the province.
Over the first 10 months of the year, 904 Albertans have died from an opioid overdose which is already the province’s highest yearly total with two months still unaccounted for.
Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jason Luan noted COVID-19 is likely the main reason for the increase in cases.
“The past few months have led to increased fear and anxiety, isolation, disruption to in-person services, job uncertainty, and more. This has exacerbated the struggles of many Albertans, including those struggling with substance use.”