RCMP are warning of lethal illicit drugs circulating in Surrey, B.C., after separate overdoses in a short time frame.

Police say they were called to a home early Thursday and despite life-saving efforts by paramedics, a 46-year-old woman died.

Minutes later, police were called to help ambulance paramedics at a shelter where two people had overdosed after injecting an unknown drug.

Shelter staff administered overdose-reversing drugs and revived both people, who were taken to hospital.

2020 was B.C.'s deadliest year ever for drug overdoses, coroner says

Last year was B.C.'s deadliest on record for drug overdoses, with almost five people dying every day on average, according to the BC Coroners Service. 

A rose in memory of those lost to the opioid crisis is pictured at the intersection of East Hastings and Main streets in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, British Columbia on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. 

OVERDOSE

A rose in memory of those lost to the opioid crisis is pictured at the intersection of East Hastings Street and Main Street in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood on Feb. 11. 

Police say none of the bystanders in that incident were willing to provide information about the source or type of drug used.

The overdoses prompted the public warning about strong illicit drugs circulating and a reminder that people shouldn't use alone and need to have a naloxone kit on hand.

B.C. proposes drug decriminalization as overdose deaths climb

After a record-breaking year for overdose deaths, British Columbia is seeking federal support, in the hope of becoming the first province to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs.

Sheila Malcolmson, former federal NDP MP, claims crucial seat

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B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson, seen here next to Premier John Horgan, wrote to Ottawa last week requesting a provincewide exemption under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Police in Surrey, B.C., are reminding drug users to keep a naloxone kit handy to reverse unexpected overdoses. 

Separate overdoses prompt police warning about lethal drugs in Surrey

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