Drug-poisoning deaths in Alberta have dropped nearly 40 per cent since 2023, according to data from the provincial government. But a deeper look is needed to understand the full picture, harm reduction advocates say.

Angie Staines, the founder of 4B Harm Reduction Society in Edmonton, said there is a significant divide in the quality of the drug supply across class lines. For middle-class drug users, particularly those who partake in weekend recreational use, overdose rates have decreased.