year in review: taking a deep dive into government action during a drug poisoning crisis
drug poisoning deaths across alberta broke records in 2021, with edmonton continuing to see the highest number of deaths in the province.
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mike ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services speaks as rebecca schulz, minister of municipal affairs, susan mcgee,ceo, homeward trust, sarah hamilton, councillor, nicholas milliken, minister of mental health and addiction, jeremy nixon, minister of seniors, community and social services and billy morin, chief- enoch cree nation listen. they are part of a cabinet task force to tackle edmonton social issues including addiction, homelessness and public safety in edmonton. taken on tuesday, dec. 13, 2022.
greg southam
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postmedia
drug poisoning deaths across alberta broke records in 2021, with edmonton continuing to see the highest number of deaths in the province.
the political debate over approaches like harm reduction and safe supply had long been seething between the governing ucp, the opposition ndp, public health experts and advocates.
i offered up this instalment of our three-part toxi-city series in an effort to set the record straight on what the ucp had done (or not) to address the deadly crisis.
even though it’s a long read, it represents the tip of the iceberg of what i learned about a host of issues that will no doubt remain controversial. there were positive signs this year, with the province recording declines in drug poisoning deaths.
alberta has a new premier in danielle smith, and mental health and addiction a fresh minister, but the government won’t be shifting significantly from its recovery-focused approach.
more likely, it will lean in, including looking at the potential of involuntary drug treatment.
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