DIDSBURY - Drug-related deaths rose sharply in the Didsbury RCMP detachment area in 2021 compared with 2020, police say.
Didsbury RCMP detachment commander Stephen Browne presented a year-end report presented to Didsbury town council on Feb. 22.
According to the report, there were six drug-related deaths in 2021, compared with only one in 2020.
A 23-year-old male was located deceased on Dec. 29, a 27-year-old female was located on Nov. 12, and a 35-year-old female was located on Jan. 25, all in the town of Didsbury.
A 33-year-old male was located deceased on Dec. 29 in Carstairs.
A 29-year-old male was located deceased on April 4, and a 30-year-old male was located deceased on July 6, both in Mountain View County.
Browne’s report also included 2021 crime statistics for the town of Didsbury.
Total Criminal Code offences reported in town declined by 10 per cent in 2021 compared with 2020. Persons crimes increased from 98 in 2020 to 111 in 2021; property crimes declined from 298 to 231; while other Criminal Code offences increased from 122 to 126.
Criminal Code traffic offences decreased from 16 to 10, and provincial traffic offences increased from 113 to 153. Provincial offences deceased from 187 to 160, municipal bylaw offences decreased from 36 to 29, and motor vehicle collisions increased from 48 to 49.
There were no homicides or robberies in the town in 2021. There were 15 assaults reported, down from 17 in 2020 and 18 in 2019.
There were a total of 51 property crimes reported, down from 76 in 2020 and 92 in 2019. Total Criminal Code offences declined from 140 in 2020 to 97 in 2021.
There were 14 Mental Health Act calls in 2021, up from 12 in 2020.
