Downtown Calgary businesses, firefighters warn of rising overdose crisis
Posted Sep 22, 2026 4:12 pm.
Downtown Calgary businesses and firefighters say they are reaching a breaking point as drug overdoses continue to surge, with first responders handling thousands more calls than they did last year.
Calgary Firefighters Association president Jamie Blayney says crews responded to nearly 6,000 overdose calls between January and July 2026, a 143 per cent increase from the same period in 2025.
“In July alone, we saw as many as 35 calls per day,” he said, adding that the pace is straining both resources and firefighters’ mental and physical health.
A city overdose‑response map shows Wards 7 and 8, which cover downtown and the Beltline, are seeing the highest number of calls. Businesses in the core say they feel the impact daily.
Falafel King owner Fauzi Salem, who has operated on Stephen Avenue for years, says customers tell him they avoid street‑level access altogether.
“They go, ‘Oh, we’re scared to go outside. We stay in the Plus‑15,'” he said.
Salem estimates his business has dropped about 70 per cent and describes the area as “hopeless,” pointing to closures and declining foot traffic.
“This is the heart of downtown Calgary,” he said. “They have to support small businesses. They have to do something.”
Food‑truck operator Pedro Parada says he generally avoids Stephen Avenue unless he’s attending an event.
“We see people bent over, just under the influence of drugs, and it’s not appealing for a business owner to be next to that,” he says.
The firefighters association says the spike is tied to changes in the drug supply and the growing pains of a city approaching two million residents. Blayney says the jump in calls is taking a toll on crews.
“Any time you increase any type of call 143 per cent, it certainly puts a strain on resources,” he said.
Ward 7 Coun. Myke Atkinson says the province must take responsibility for addiction and mental‑health supports. He points to recent decisions, including closing the Sheldon Chumir supervised consumption site without a clear transition plan.
“It’s not having good outcomes,” he said.
