In the first six weeks of 2018, 74 people have died from accidental drug poisoning related to fentanyl, according to a recent report released by Alberta Health. The year has seen an increase from 2017, where 56 people died during the same amount of time.
Calgary has seen the most deaths year-to-date with 36 and Edmonton has had 25 fentanyl related deaths. In Lloydminster, there will be a Fentanyl discussion put on at the Healing Connections Expo to discuss the current crisis and its impact on the community.
Facilitator of the panel Sharon Reid says that the panel will include a registered nurse, addiction counsellor and a member of the RCMP.
“We want to try and get the information out to the public about all the different forms of healing that are available. So we’re talking medical field, we’re talking metaphysical field, we’re talking spiritual, so all of them.”
This year, there are an average of 1.8 accidental drug poisoning deaths related to fentanyl per day, compared to 1.6 in 2017. Reid says that she is passionate about helping people dealing with addiction and that the public needs to know the graveness of the situation.
“If we can save one life from having this chat that’s great, just get the awareness out there to make the people understand and realize the seriousness.”
The panel discussion will be taking place Saturday, April 14 at the Days Hotel in Lloydminster.
