Investigative reviews of 48 young people who passed away or were seriously injured in Alberta were completed in 2023–2024.
Terri Pelton, provincial child and youth advocate, has provided an update to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on her office’s investigative reviews spanning from Apr. 1, 2023 to Mar. 31, 2024.
Reviews were completed and publicly released for 48 young people who were receiving child intervention services at the time of or within two years of their death, and for one young person who was receiving child intervention services when they were seriously injured. Investigative reviews for an additional 15 young people are on hold due to police investigations and court proceedings.
Among the 48 young people who passed away, 35 were Indigenous.
“More must be done to provide Indigenous young people with the supports they need and to help them stay connected with their families, communities and cultures,” says Pelton.
One of the most frequent causes of death among those who passed away was drug toxicity, with several children beginning substance use at very young ages. For instance, two youth passed away at ages 17 and 16 from fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity, and both began using substances at age 12.
“It’s deeply concerning to see children as young as 12 using substances. Sadly, we’ve seen even younger in the past,” adds Pelton. “When children and families are struggling, it’s crucial they receive early support and care, so we can reduce the number of lives lost to this crisis.”
The findings of the 48 individual investigative reviews will inform a consolidated investigative review report, which will make recommendations to government to improve the circumstances of young people in similar situations. The advocate anticipates the consolidated investigative report will be released this fall.