The number of overdose/poisoning calls in Abbotsford continues to rise, year over year, according to new data released by B.C. Emergency Health Services.
In 2022, there were 1,641 such calls, up from 1,372 the year before. A graph shows that the number of calls was 605 in 2016. That’s a 141 per cent increase over seven years.
It puts Abbotsford near the top of the list for calls out, behind Vancouver, Surrey, Kelowna and Victoria. However, Chilliwack had just 715 calls last year.
Across B.C., there were 33,654 overdose/poisoning calls. Abbotsford accounted for almost 5 per cent of those calls.
Some communities are seeing a minor decline in these types of calls, including Mission, Agassiz and Langley.
The release does not include data that adjusts for populations of the communities, and does not refer to deaths from overdose.
READ MORE: Abbotsford saw 19 drug overdose deaths in January and February: BC Coroner
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