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BC  

Overdose deaths on rise

The city of Vancouver has had 335 overdose deaths last year, compared with 234 the year before.

There was a huge jump in response to overdose calls by firefighters and ambulance paramedics.

In 2017, the city says there were 6,324 overdose calls compared with just over 4,700 for the year before.

Mayor of Vancouver Gregor Robertson said the number of deaths caused by opioids is straining emergency responders, front line workers and community volunteers.

-with files from CTV Vancouver 



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