Overdose Crisis Hits Calgary: 143% Increase in Calls Sparks Urgent Appeal

Calgary is grappling with a severe overdose crisis, as the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) reports a staggering 143% increase in overdose first response calls from 2025 to the first seven months of 2026. In this period, the CFD handled 5,941 overdose calls, nearly triple the 2,440 calls recorded in the same period last year. This surge has placed immense pressure on the city's resources and personnel, with particular strain seen in Wards 7 and 8.

Speaking to the media outside the Central Calgary Public Library, Jamie Blayney, president of the Calgary Firefighters Association, highlighted the critical nature of the situation. 'Simply put, that’s more than 35 overdose calls a day in July, many of which involved firefighters using Naloxone to save a life,' he emphasized.

Blayney also pointed out that the city's growth and increased drug supply are driving the calls to unsustainable levels, straining resources and causing mental distress among first responders. 'It is certainly putting a strain on resources, but we’re also asking, hopefully, for all levels of government to get involved in this problem and provide some relief for our members who are just attending an unsustainable amount of calls,' he said.

The Calgary Public Library (CPL) has not been immune to these challenges, with security costs rising by about 90% since 2019. Barb Gillard, executive director of visitor experience at the CPL, stated that the library has had to increase its security presence, adding three more guards as concerns about behaviors around the exterior of the building have grown. This increase in security has been supported by a Civic Partner Community Safety Grant from the City of Calgary, allowing the library to implement a multi-pronged approach to enhancing safety.