Hope Mission reports overdose death outside temporary emergency homeless shelter

Apr 8, 2026 | 5:13 PM

Hope Mission is mourning the loss of a community member who died following a drug overdose at Red Deer’s temporary emergency homeless shelter.

In a statement from Hope Mission, they reported on Thursday, April 2, at around 12:35 a.m., staff were doing their exterior rounds of the Cannery Row building when they found an individual experiencing an overdose in the parking lot.

Staff called 911, administered naloxone, and provided CPR before Emergency Medical Services arrived. EMS then spent time resuscitating the individual before taking them to the hospital.

According to Hope Mission, EMS called the shelter later on to report that the person had died.

“We are saddened by the news of this death. Any death of a community member represents the tragic loss of someone with inherent dignity and deserving of love,” said Hope Mission senior director Tim Pasma, in a statement.

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Hope Mission reports overdose death outside temporary emergency homeless shelter

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“This loss of life underscores the complex challenges faced by those we serve and how shelters are often the first point of safety and stability. Our goal is to provide a safe place and wraparound care to all those who need it—whether they are shelter guests or community members who are not yet ready to come inside.”

According to data from the Government of Alberta’s Substance Use Surveillance System, there were 23.6 drug poisoning deaths per 100,000 people in Red Deer in 2025 using any opioid. That’s down slightly from 2024, when there were 26.5. Currently, there is no data available for 2026.

In the central zone, there were 15.2 opioid related deaths in 2025 compared to 18.4 in 2024, and provincially, there were 22.6 opioid related deaths in 2025, down from 24.5 in 2024.

Approximately two weeks ago, Hope Mission took over operations of the temporary shelter during a ceremonial handoff from Safe Harbour.

They officially opened their doors on April 1.

by Ian Gustafson

Hope Mission reports overdose death outside temporary emergency homeless shelter

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