Overdose deaths on the rise in Waterloo Region [Video]

Experts are warning about a sharp increase in suspected overdose deaths in Waterloo Region so far this year.

According to the Drug Strategy Network of Ontario, 76 people have already died in the region from drug poisonings, up from 42 deaths by this same point last year.

In 2023, the organization said there was a total of 78 drug deaths in Waterloo Region. In 2022, there were 90 and at the height of the pandemic, there were 109 reported deaths.

Ontario stats

Ontario has seen 318 suspected drug-related deaths during the month of June.

In the last three months, there were 947 drug-related deaths, representing a 37 per cent increase compared to the same time five years ago.

There were 3,432 confirmed and probable toxicity deaths in all of 2023, representing a 5 per cent increase from the previous year.

Expert weighs in

The drug strategy network said the deaths are concerning, but not surprising …