Substance use surveillance data
Tracking substance use data helps the government better understand the addiction challenges in Alberta and make informed, strategic decisions about how best to create a recovery-oriented system of care that supports individuals experiencing addiction.
Note: the system is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Data related to substance poisoning deaths will be updated monthly, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses will be updated weekly. The remaining data will be updated quarterly. Numbers will be released at least 8 weeks after the relevant month or quarter ends.
Quarterly opioid surveillance reports
Prior to the launch of the online system in December 2020, quarterly reports were used to assess not only fentanyl misuse, but the use/misuse of opioids and narcotics in Alberta through existing public health surveillance. This work continues through the interactive system.
- Q2 report: April to June 2020 (COVID-19)
- Q1 report: January to March 2020
- Q4 report: October to December 2019
- Q3 report: July to September 2019
- Q2 report: April to June 2019
- Q1 report: January to March 2019
- Q4 report: October to December 2018
- Q3 report: July to September 2018
- Q2 report: April to June 2018
- Q1 report: January to March 2018
- Q4 report: October to December 2017
- Q3 report: July to September 2017
- Q2 report: April to June 2017
- Q1 report: January to March 2017
- Q4 report: October to December 2016
- Q3 report: July to September 2016
Review of medical examiner data
- Substance toxicity deaths in Alberta in 2020: Review of medical examiner data
- Opioid-related deaths in Alberta in 2017: Review of medical examiner data
Opioid surveillance interim reports
From 2017 to 2018, interim reports used 6-week data to show apparent drug overdose deaths related to fentanyl.
- Interim report: October 1 to November 11, 2018
- Interim report: July 2 to August 12, 2018
- Interim report: March 26 to May 6, 2018
- Interim report: January 1 to February 11, 2018
- Interim report: October 1 to November 11, 2017
- Interim report: July 2 to August 12, 2017
- Interim report: April 2 to May 13, 2017
- Interim report: January 1 to February 11, 2017
First Nations reporting
- Alberta opioid response surveillance report: First Nations Peoples in Alberta – April 2024
- Alberta opioid response surveillance report: First Nations Peoples in Alberta – December 2021
- Alberta opioid response surveillance report: First Nations Peoples in Alberta – June 2021
- Alberta opioid response surveillance report: First Nations Peoples in Alberta – December 2019
- Opioids and substance misuse among First Nations peoples – 2017
Youth reporting
Government of Alberta’s response to the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate report: