The number of fentanyl-related deaths in Grande Prairie in the first quarter of 2017 has dropped significantly from a year ago.
According to new data from Alberta Health Services, there were 10 deaths due to an apparent fentanyl overdose in 2016, giving it a rate of 13.4 per 100,000 residents. That was the second highest in the province, behind Red Deer at 21.
GP is still in second place this year, but with a rate of 5.2 from four deaths from January 1st to March 31st. Fort McMurray is now at the top of the list, with a year-to-date rate of 6.2.
Province-wide, the number of fatal fentanyl overdoses in the first quarter of the year jumped from 70 to 113. There was one other opioid-related death in Grande Prairie over that time frame.
