Police add they are doing more to support families of those who die
The numbers are disturbing when it comes to the rise of opioid related deaths in Niagara.
The Police Services Board heard from Detective Jordan Meffe of the Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit, who said in 2019 there were 93 deaths, in 2020, there were 149 and in 2021, there were 165.
"So how did Niagara compare to that of the province? According to statistics, unfortunately our opioid related deaths were approximately double the provincial average," he says.
He adds in 2022, there were 115 deaths, with three charges laid. Cases take an average of 6 months to investigate.
He also narrowed it down to where the deaths happen. "For mostly in densely populated areas... 50% took place in the City of St. Catharines, followed by 25% in Niagara Falls, and the remaining municipalities, the rest."
He added the Enforcement unit is working to provide better support to victim's families, and hold drug traffickers to account where possible.
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