A new study shows opioid overdoses are on the rise in Alberta and many are left wondering how much longer the healthcare system will be able to handle the situation.
Officials say that every day, 11 Albertans are sent to the hospital to be treated for an overdose.
A report, by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, says that emergency room visits for overdoses from drugs such as heroin and fentanyl have doubled.
Since 2016, 741 Albertans have died from opioid overdoses.
The province is working closely with the federal government on the growing crisis and they are still trying to get the green light for safe consumption sites.
The report also says that drug use for those between the ages of 15 and 24 is the highest and fastest growing rate of ER visits.
The report says that education is the key to solving the problem and the province needs to do more to support users and teach youth about the dangers of opioids.